About Pressed Glass

Pressed glass was once considered poor man's glass. It was not as expensive as cut glass and was purchased by the middle class. But those pieces were handed down through the generations and many of them today are worth thousands of dollars.

History

Pressed glass has been around for a long time It was invented in 1825 by John P. Bakewell. It was first used to make furniture knobs and it progressed from there. Now you can find just about anything made in pressed glass from vases and bowls to buttons and everything in between. The art of making pressed glass spread to England about 10 years later and then spread to the rest of Europe. It is still made today in countries like France, Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia.

Types

Pressed glass comes in many different styles and forms from manufacturers in countries like England, France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Italy. It is easy to see if a piece is made in the pressed glass process. What is difficult for the average collector to do is to identify the age of the piece, and therefore its value. If you can get a piece from a company that is no longer in business, the piece will be easier to date. One of the most collectible forms of pressed glass is Carnival Glass, which has an iridescent finish that sets it apart from the rest. Pieces like my vase are called Depression Glass, named after the time period it was made in.

Features

Pressed glass will have seams. Cut glass will not. Pressed glass has a seam on one side. If it has two seams, it is not pressed, it is poured. The inside will be rough to the touch. The edges also have a rough finish. As the name suggests, it is made by pouring molten glass into a form and pressing it with a plunger to get the air out. Then letting it cool.

Potential

Pressed glass is collectible and has the potential to increase in value. Most people will collect pressed glass, or anything else for that matter, because they like it. While those who collect pressed glass as an investment need to do a lot of research, the satisfaction of finding a special piece makes it worthwhile.

Warning

As with anything that is collectible, there are those who will try and pass off a recent piece for an older one. If you are serious about collecting pressed glass, focus on one type like vases to start with or on a manufacturer. Read books and become familiar with experts. Go to antique shows and always have your piece appraised by an outside appraiser.