How to Read Art Glass Marks
Much art glass is marked faintly, but most people do not anticipate that it will be marked, and do not look closely. Others do not know how or where to look for the marks.
There is lots to be learned about collecting art glass, and most of it is fun, not work.
This article may give you some ideas to read art glass marks.
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Instructions
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Check the bottom for marks on glass.
Look on the bottom of good glass with the use of a magnifying glass. Much clear glass from England and Scotland is marked with an acid etch name of the manufacturer. This includes Waterford, Caithness and Stuart. Baccarat is acid etched, and so is Pairpoint.
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Look on the edge near the base.
Check up the side near the bottom for a mark if the piece is not marked on the bottom. Waterford sometimes marks right at the edge and not at the bottom. Steuben also marks some of their glass on the edge very close to the base. Many of the Steuben marks are the name in tiny script. Others may be the etched fleur-de-lys.
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Check the center of a pontil.
Find studio art glass and read art glass marks in the center at the polished pontil. Some studio art glass is marked at the edge of the pontil, along with a year date. Still others are marked right at the curve of the base as it forms the vertical edge. Higgins and fused glass artists often marked on the backside of the rims of bowls with a stylus. Ed Walter marked his in the fused design.
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Read art glass marks in codes.
Locate Swedish hand blown glass, and see codes on the bottom. Some are marked with the company name in full, but since it is hand stylus marked, it is not easy to read. Orrefors is often marked Of with numbers and letters. The letters are often the artist, and sometimes the designer. Holmegaard is usually marked with the full name in tiny stylus.
Many of these marks are only visible with a magnifying glass, and others can only be read with a loupe. Read art glass marks in a good light with a loupe, and angle the glass so you are looking at eye level. You will be pleasantly surprised when you learn to read art glass marks.
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Tips & Warnings
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copyright 2009 Linda Richard
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