My glassware collection

My Glassware Collection

4/5/2017

My mother loves glassware. She collects colourful glassware but she especially loves Swarovski. For years, I never understood why she would shriek with joy when given a Swarovski rabbit for Christmas. However as the years have gone by, I have started to understand the beauty in glass. I visited a glassmaking factory in London last week and I was really impressed with how a glass vase is made, never mind the complex glass with different colours and patterns. It is an art and a skill. I have been collecting some vintage glassware, or at least vintage-looking glassware.

I was inspired by Elsie Larson's house. Elsie is a blogger and Instagrammer. She also founded Colour Story, which is an app with colourful vibrant filters and edits, and built up a cult following on social media. How can you not be inspired? Elsie has built a collection of the most beautiful glassware that she uses as part of her home decor. See photograph below. I imagine her alfresco/garden dining and parties are full of cool people with individuality who would appreciate her collection. Sigh!

I have researched more about vintage glassware and have found that the best pieces to try and collect are from during the depression period. Depression glass is clear or colored translucent glassware. It was distributed in Canada and the US during the Great Depression, which was a major recession in the West. Food manufacturers needed an incentive to boost their sales so they decided to include a piece of glassware in food boxes. More than 100 patterns were made by 20 companies, in crystal clear colored glass like pink, pale blue, green and amber. Colors like jadeite (opaque pale green), white (milk glass), ultra marine, red (royal and ruby), yellow (canary), delphite (opaque pale blue), black and amethyst monax were also manufactured. If you are looking to start to collect depression glass, search for the amber and yellow as these are the most popular colours. It is important to learn the patterns.

I already liked the vintage look before I started collecting real vintage. I received 2 crystal champagne coupes on my wedding day some years ago which prompted to find glasses that match for our anniversary. The glasses are made by Waterford and remind me of 50s Hollywood.

The photo above shows my small collection so far. I have a vase, ice cream cups, a decanter, a sugar bowl, a decanter and short tumblers. So far, this has cost me £300. I have more items on my list. Some of which are not necessarily vintage but I just like how they look. If you like the look of them, just click on the photos to be taken to the website to purchase.