Antique Glass Gifts

Old glass gifts

We think of vintage glass and victorian glass when we imagine antique glass but there are many other antique pieces to consider. Glass figurines of animals (horse, cat and dog figurines) can be antiques as can champagne glasses and cosmetic containers.

Antique glass bottles

A lot of antique glass is in the bottle format, which is an ideal gift type and usually easier to transport than sheet or stained glass. Some of the older bottle types, favored by collectors, will have embossed or raised letters on them making them unique and perhaps valuable. Glass perfume bottles will sometimes be presented in a box and if the original box is with the bottle it will enhance its value. Labels in good condition, if still attached to the bottle, strengthen the sale price.

When you are on your holidays abroad you might wish to buy glass gifts (which may or may not be antique, depending upon ypur preference) for your relatives or friends and you might well pick up a rare glass jug or lamp.

Decorative glass etching

One way to make decorative glass is to etch the glass. Glass etching is a roughening of the glass in spots to produce an artistic picture within the glass. It is a craft that can take years to master. Deeper etching allows the artist to actually carve into the exterior surface of a piece of glass. This results in a type of shading in the glass which catches the light at different angles giving a sparkling effect.

Chemical glass etching

Instead of using tools as indicated above another form of glass etching is done by using chemicals. Chemical etching does not damage or change the structural quality of the glass. Different types of acid are used depending on the finished texture needed. Glass frosting (which appears like frozen glass) is usually achieved by chemical means. Opinions differ as to which is best but most modern glass etched pieces are produced chemically and it is perceived that this glass is easier to clean as a result of this processing.

Historical Glass Museums

American Glassware dating from the early nineteenth century can be seen at many Historical Glass Museums throughout the USA and if you wish to visit a glass factory there are a number to visit in different states. A visit to a glass factory is amazing where you can see a practical demonstration of how glass was pressed and made hundreds of years ago. The experience is one you will not forget.

Lead glass

Lead glass is popular with collectors because of its decorative properties. Glass with lead content is easier to cut because it is softer but another benefit of adding lead is improved light output. Lead crystal is lead glass that has been cut with facets producing a greater degree of sparkling (refraction property of the glass is improved) compared with. normal window glass On a practical level lead glass containers can contaminate liquids they hold resulting in lead poisoning for those who partake in the liquid contents.

Flint nodules

Glass made of flint nodules which derive from chalk deposits which are rich in silica content. Flint glass can contain lead oxide and is sometimes called potash lead glass. Later on this type of glass was replaced by lead crystal.

Antique Waterford glass

Waterford Glass is famous for its glass chandeliers, the most famous one being the large 12 foot in diameter chandelier in New York City's Times Square which is used for the New Year's Eve Ball. Waterford Glass also manufactures beautifully hand blown artworks and sporting trophies for the world’s major sports events.

Antique glass gift collectors

Antique glass Items for collectors to consider would be glass chandeliers, candlesticks, compotes, candelabra, bowls, historical plates, old kerosene lamps and milk glass which is ‘white’ in color just like milk.