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Milk glass received its name for its color, a ‘milky’ white. It was intended to look like porcelain, but not be as expensive to produce. This coloring is important when determining an old piece from a newer, reproduced piece. The older milk glass can often be picked out of a whole table of newer items by looking at the edges of the item. Older pieces appear almost transparent, especially on the edges, and light will show through the piece. Newer pieces are ‘white’ opaque, light not even showing through on the edges. Many fine examples date all the way through as recently as the present day though. Older pieces can be traced back to the 1500’s, but most of what is collected today is from the 1700’s and on. The name ‘Milk Glass’ also refers to other colored glass, which although it may be of color, is still ‘milky’ in color. Blue milk glass is very popular among collectors, with most blue pieces coming from France. Some pieces have painting on them, often common among sets, such as a dresser set, or salt and peppers. Never remove paint from a piece, even if much of it is worn, if you intend to try and ‘date’ the piece, as the paint may indeed be the key to the age of the item.
Milk glass was manufactured into all types of items, which is possibly why it is so widely collected. Dishes and cups were of course made of this glass, but so were boxes, vases, and figurines, perfume bottles, match holders and toothpick holders, even lanterns. Milk glass pieces are often figural in designs, incorporating flowers, animals, especially barnyard animals such as cows and roosters, people, and everyday items and landmarks.
Some examples include a lantern made of blue milk glass that appears to be a castle tower; an elfish appearing face that is actually a match holder, while a favorite item in my personal collection is a miniature bunny. I also remember, but do not have, several cold cream jars that sat atop my mother’s dressing table. Each jar a perfect specimen of milk glass, milky white in color, with one in particular, which had a very colorful woman on the lid! Another interesting piece I came across while browsing on the Internet, was a photograph of a man from WW1, placed directly onto a square of milk glass. Christmas bulbs and other Christmas decorations were made of milk glass, including parrots, Santa’s, trees, and sleds, just to name a few.
Milk glass is decorated in many different styles and techniques. A molded glass, milk glass lends itself well to Hobnail, a raised pattern of bumps, and lace, in which the glass simulates the look of lace. Handpainted pieces are also common. Manufacturers are numerous, including Fenton, Westmoreland Specialty Glass Company, U.S. Glass Company, L.E. Smith Glass Company, Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, Duncan Glass, Fostoria Glass Company, Belknap, and many, many, more glass manufacturers. When buying milk glass, be sure to look for chips, crack, discoloration, and ‘replacement’ parts. That original set of salt and pepper shakers may be the original glass, but are the lids originals, or replacements? It is fine to purchase them with the new lids, but be aware of what you are buying. There is no surer way to regret a purchase, than if, you are getting something a little less than what you planned. As with collecting anything, unless you are certain of what you are purchasing, buy only what you like, never for resale value. There are manufacturer marks on many pieces of milk glass, and there are whole books available on the distinction of marks. If you are in search of certain company’s pieces, talk to someone that is knowledgeable; search out an expert on the glass, to help you. Read as many books on the glass as you can. Visit displays of the glass in museums, or if you know someone who has a private collection, see if they will give you some visual pointers to keep in mind as you look for that start or addition to your collection. The more pieces you have the opportunity to view, the better you will be able to determine if a piece you come across is worth adding to your collection. Happy Milk Glass Hunting!
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