What In The World Is Pressed Glass?

Pressed glass has been around here in America since the 1820’s, and has quite a few popular forms.  It can be a cup, vase, plate, bon bon dish, or etc.

Since it’s mold-made, the cost of production of the pieces is lower than items that are handmade.  Because of the lower costs with manufacturing pressed glass, you will see more of the same items on the secondary market.  But this can be a good thing for the collector.  This means that there is a better chance for you to find an example for your collection.  There’s Depression Glass, Goofus Glass, and even Carnival Glass that you can hunt for.

The American Sweetheart sherbets can be seen in my Etsy store here.

The Peacock At The Fountain amethyst tumbler can be seen in my Etsy store here.

The Goofus Glass bowl with the LA BELLE ROSE Pattern can be seen in my Etsy store here.

The Fenton Blue Opalescent Hobnail vase can be seen at Etsy here.

Because pressed glass pieces aren’t so expensive, they can still be used--either in the way that the piece was intended, or in another creative way.  If you have a tumbler, it could double as a small vase, or even a pencil or pen holder on a desk.  A bowl like the Goofus Glass piece listed above could even be used as a centerpiece on a table.

 

You never know what you can find when it comes to pressed glass.  What’s the coolest pressed glass piece that you’ve found?  How do you display or use your pressed glass?