Exploring the Timeless Allure: When Was Milk Glass Popular? Milk glass, an antique, opaque glass, was popular in the Victorian era for serving platters and flower vases. Many wonder if it will make a comeback.
When Was Milk Glass popular?
Milk glass enjoyed popularity from 1870 to 1890 and experienced a resurgence in the 1950s and 1960s. It remains a sought-after collector’s item, prized for its beauty as a decorative accent. Despite its popularity among collectors, milk glass is relatively inexpensive.
Whether you’re familiar with milk glass, a long-time collector, or simply curious about its value, this article explores the historical and current popularity of milk glass pieces.
What is Milk Glass?
Milk glass, an opaque or translucent glass with a milk-colored hue, originated in Venice during the 16th century but gained popularity in England and America around 1835, particularly among the upper class.
While primarily white, milk glass can be found in various colors, including pink, blue, yellow, and black. Serving dishes in shades like jade, seafoam, lavender, and more are occasionally seen. Vintage milk glass tends to be opaque, while modern versions are often more translucent, exhibiting varying degrees of transparency.
Milk glass is available in a variety of shapes, including bowls, plates, serving dishes, vases, and figurines. It was not unusual for prominent figures to commission milk glass pieces resembling themselves, and milk glass busts of former U.S. presidents are relatively common.
While milk glass traces its roots to Italy, there are claims that the Egyptians may have produced a similar material as early as 1500 BCE.
In What Years Was Milk Glass Popular?
Milk glass production in America started in the 1800s but gained significant popularity in the 1870s, extending through the 1890s. It was also favored in English households, particularly among the affluent, despite its delicate nature and susceptibility to breakage, like any glassware.
Milk glass declined in popularity but experienced a resurgence in the 1950s and 1960s, as florists began showcasing flowers in pots and vases made from this pristine white glass. If your grandmother has a milk glass collection, it probably dates back to this revival period.
Milk glass is sometimes mistaken for white ceramic, but they are different materials. To confirm genuine antique milk glass, hold it up to natural light and observe the “ring of fire” effect—a shining red, blue, and green rainbow. Modern milk glass (produced after 1970) lacks this effect and is less valuable.
Is milk glass still produced today?
Surprisingly, milk glass is still being manufactured today by several companies, including:
- Atterbury & Company
- Bryce Brothers
- Fenton
- Indiana Glass Company
- Gillinder & Sons
- New England Glass Company
- Westmoreland Glass Company
These companies produce milk glass in bulk, with varying quality levels. Typically, a single milk glass piece, whether it’s a bowl, vase, plate, or other item, ranges in price from $5 to $30. However, unique antique pieces can fetch hundreds of dollars. The condition of the piece significantly influences its value.
The age of milk glass heavily influences its price, with older pieces generally being more valuable, particularly those from the 1800s. Older pieces often display the trademark “ring of fire” and tend to have smoother surfaces compared to their newer counterparts.
Additionally, the intricacy of the design can impact the price, with detailed pieces typically commanding higher prices than simpler ones.
Where is milk glass from?
Milk glass originated in Venice, Italy, in the early 1500s as a budget-friendly alternative to porcelain. The term “milk glass” was popularized by the Victorians in Western Europe and America. It gained significant popularity in the 1800s, adorning dining tables, sitting rooms, and display cases.
Milk glass declined in popularity during the Great Depression, likely due to financial constraints limiting discretionary spending. However, it experienced a resurgence after World War II as people resumed efforts to adorn their homes with desirable centerpieces and elegant dinner sets.
During this period, companies such as Anchor Hocking, Fenton, and Westmoreland mass-produced milk glass. Pieces from the 1950s and 1960s are relatively affordable compared to antique ones. It’s the pieces from the 1800s and earlier, the genuine antiques, that can command higher prices.
How to Make Milk Glass
Regular glass is produced by melting raw materials like sand, ash, or limestone at high temperatures, resulting in a delicate, transparent material that reflects light. However, when crafting milk glass, glassblowers incorporate opacifiers into the glass mixture to achieve its characteristic opaque appearance.
Opacifiers dissolve into the molten glass and crystallize, imparting the smooth, opaque color characteristic of milk glass. These opacifiers can consist of various materials, such as bone ash, tin dioxide, and even arsenic.
While most people lack the means to create authentic milk glass, there are several methods for crafting “faux” milk glass that closely resembles the real material in appearance.
Select a ceramic or regular glass piece of your preference. Paint the piece white using spray paint, which typically provides a streak-free finish. Alternatively, matte white paint can be used. This method allows you to create beautiful vases and other decorative items that closely resemble genuine milk glass.
After painting or glazing the piece white, apply a glossy white polish as a finishing touch. This step helps to achieve a look similar to genuine milk glass.
While your faux milk glass piece may not deceive an experienced collector, it will still offer the timeless aesthetic you desire.
For additional information on milk glass and its origins, you can refer to our article titled “What is Milk Glass and Who Made It?
