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When I found this piece, I knew their times. These ranged from simple to complex forms. Also, some
this was Bohemian. It took a lines were produced in lower quantities than others. Scarcity will impact
while to confirm that it was valuations, so more research on your part is essential.
indeed Loetz. Victorian, Some of the higher-end glass companies have a strong online
unmarked, polished pontil.
presence. Lalique has a very good website with extensive information
Many of these stores have (www.rlalique.com/rene-lalique-catalogue). Steuben has one, too.
disappeared, especially with (www.steubenglass.org). Here’s a great source for identifying pressed
the arrival of the internet. glass (www.pressglas-pavillon.de). This site is in German and you just
Some still remain. The have to click on “English” to have it translated. This has a wealth of
antique mall is an alternative, information on identifying glass from all over Europe. And there are
but usually, they are staffed
with a sales staff with little or
no specialized antique glass
knowledge. Thrift stores are
no better. Auction houses
may offer more informed
help. Some specialize in glass
and it’s worth your time to
investigate who they are and get to know their glass expert. Some of the
larger glass auction houses have extensive databases and auction records,
which you can search for relevant data and pricing information. It’s
worth your time to register with them and access these files.
Some really good websites with showing great information,
auction results, and often many years of past results include
www.jeffreysevans.com/auctions/search-past/ and www.woodyauc-
tion.com/price-list/ and www.tomburnsauctions.com/. They have a Small Swedish (?) modernist sheared glass vase. Thick-walled, and rolled in frit in
good reputation for vetting the glass they offer to sell and are friendly the style of Mona Schmidt from Kosta Glass. No marks, still researching.
toward glass enthusiasts.
several others, including Loetz Glass (www.loetz.com/identifying-loetz-
glass) – this is a great resource for Eastern European and Bohemia Glass.
The problem with one-of-a-kind items is that it’s hard to find
comparable items online. Corning Glass has a wonderful research library
and glass museum. They also publish a magazine called New Glass
Review that features some of the very best artisan glass being produced.
The glass that falls into this area of glass collecting should involve
experts and specialists. A good starting point is the museums with spe-
cialized collections on the respective glass. Asking the glass curator to
point you in the right direction is a fair question. For valuation purpos-
es, I would recommend an appraiser-certified organization like the
American Appraisal Association. To point you in the right direction for
valuation purposes, I would recommend asking an appraiser-certified
organization like the Asheford Institute of Antiques or the American
Appraisal Association.

About the Author: Peter Wade is recognized as a top glass
collector and specialist. He is a member of the Westchester Glass Club and
the North Jersey Depression Glass Club, and operates a shop on Ruby Lane
called “Decorate with Vintage, LLC.”

This rich iridescent piece of sculptural art glass
is currently attributed to Sabino. Estate Sale find.
This glass tray is roughly 18” x 12” and made of Typical studio art glass
a fiery opalescent glass. It is most likely from the Art Deco era. with an
There are no marks of any kind on this piece. illegible, scribbled
signature.
Resources – There are now many glass organizations that have established You’ll find
themselves on the internet with very good information in their respective comparable
categories. Many are available at no cost or with a nominal membership situations like this
fee. The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia has a forum for all over the internet.
Elegant and Everyday Glass called www.chatboutdg.com. It’s
very good and informative. If you have an established interest in
a particular area of glass collecting, pick the one that applies to
you and get involved with them. The networking value is
tremendous. The list is too long to publish here, but it’s worth
your time to google keywords and you’ll find them.

High-End & Rarified Glass – I place glass like Tiffany, Loetz,
Lalique, and similar, along with one-of-a-kind studio artisan
glass in a separate category from the more ordinary, but attrac-
tive glass you may encounter. The reason for this is they’re
much harder to research and evaluate. Many of these companies
made different lines of glass to meet the market demands of

8 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles