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Mercury Glass

Encasing the Brilliance of Silver

ercury glass is not all it is wrapped up to be as there pontil mark was left with all Rare Victorian Bohemian Cranberry Glass &
is no actual mercury used in the encased silvered its sharp edges. Mercury Glass Scent Bottle, Circa 1870
Mpart of the glass, except during its first few years. This technique was not
While rumors abound regarding the danger of being meant to deceive the eye into
poisoned when using tableware made with “mercury thinking it was pure silver but
glass,” it is a myth that comes from using the name of used to draw attention with
this liquid mineral when describing the glass. the artistic design with an
ability to stand on its own.
Bohemian cut mercury glass enameled perfume The glass would stay shiny
sold on Ruby Lane for $125
unless the seal wore off. Once
exposed, the silver nitrate
In the Beginning would oxidize or darken, and
In the early 19th century, mercury was used for a very short time to
create a silvery coating on glass for creating mirrors. This method was would erode the interior
abandoned – not because of its toxicity, but because of its expense. The coating. Some may appreciate
great reflective value of this “poor man’s silver” or “farmer’s silver” made the rustic appeal of this
it perfect for consideration of one’s likeness, so to speak. Butlers used a occurrence today, but it
“butler’s ball” as a way to check on guests to see to their empty glasses or caused the loss of its decorative
unlit cigars. Because it was applied on the glass, the coating was prone to appeal to many. Other
wear, and oxidation would occur more readily – something regularly embellishments included painted enamel accents, etching, engraving,
seen on antique mirrors. The mercury was acid-vapor matting, glass “jewels” or decorative elements added onto a
quickly replaced with a much less expensive piece, and even creating encased glass by cutting the glass down to the
combination of silver nitrate and grape sugar silvering and re-sealing with a thin coating of glass.
well before table pieces were made using this
style of glass. For the Collector
Decorative pieces such as beakers, goblets, Because of the immense popularity despite its relatively short life,
and vases began showing up in Bohemia (now mercury glass tends to be reasonably priced and somewhat available at
the Czech Republic) around 1840 and created flea markets, antique shows, and auction. Trying to attribute pieces to
an almost instantaneous ripple across Europe a particular maker or designer can prove difficult, as the vast majority
and beyond – this was a welcome departure of the glass was unsigned. The best way to assign a particular country
from the brown and clear glass options that to an object is by checking the type of glass used and its overall style.
were currently available. Scientific journals The longest production of mercury glass took place in Bohemia
lauded its creation, and examples of this glass from 1840 to at least 1920, making it popular among collectors. The
were exhibited at the Crystal Palace decoration of these pieces became more elaborate and intricately crafted
Exhibition held in London in 1851. Helpful over time. The craftsmen also excelled at creating thin walls of glass that
documents followed soon thereafter including did not contain lead, making their examples lightweight and elegant.
Tallis’s History and Description of the Crystal Both British and American silvered glass tended to have thick walls
Palace which offered advice on taste by several and used flint glass that contained lead, making the pieces heavy and
Victorian “influencers.” hefty. England had an extremely short tenure of manufacture—only six
“Silvered glass” made its U.S. debut when 18th Century Bohemian years—and examples are extremely scarce. Edward Varnish and Frederick
the New England Glass Company exhibited its Etched Glass Mirror Hale Thomson attained a joint patent for silvering glass in 1849, and
wares at the New York Crystal Palace in 1853. Other companies that a few signed pieces are known to exist. In the U.S., thirty years of
made mercury glass from the mid-1800s through about 1880 include the manufacture makes this glass slightly easier to put your hands on.
Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, Union Glass Company, and the Etching appears on mercury glass in simple designs because the
Boston Silver Glass Company. process used granulate application—essentially pitting the glass—
Although the look and use for mercury glass were thought to be a revealing the decoration as outlined by a stencil. The piece was then
simple trend, production of this glass continued for 80 years. Some, such re-fired at a low heat to set the pattern. While Bohemia and England
as Martha Stewart, say the glass went out of fashion when electric light also included gold washes to the interior of their items, the U.S. did not.
came into use and the need for reflective items in the home to help light Take a look at the bottom of the piece because the type of seal used
the room became unnecessary and distractive. The glass is experiencing a can seal the deal if it is original. Pieces with a new seal or with a hole in
bit of a revival today, especially during the holidays. the bottom can easily lose at least half their value. Look for flake or
patch loss of the silvering. Also, if the bottom is
smooth in nature, chances are you have a more
The First Art Glass? contemporary example in your sight.
Mercury glass is created by placing the silvering
liquid into a double-walled piece of blown glass that
been fully shaped. Once the “punty” rod is The Market for Mercury Glass
broken from the glass, silvering is added As with any collectible, rarity, condition, and
between the walls of the glass through the hole design are the three ingredients to claiming a
that is left. In England, pieces were finished good find. Be sure to check each piece
with an impressed metal disc and covered by a completely for any damage. It is “buyer
glass “wafer” or “plug” which was cemented beware” when it comes to inspecting images
into the pontil scar. Collection of seven online. Because many believe at least half of
Other countries used antique mercury glass the mercury glass created has suffered some
other metals or seals vessels selling for $750 damage, finding those pristine examples can
with glass discs, and the at charish.com prove to be a bit of an undertaking.

34 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles