Early American Pattern Glass
The Lacy Period: 1825-1845
Early American Pattern Glass was first pressed by machine in approximately 1825. Designs were ornate in order to hide manufacturing flaws caused by the pressing machine or its operator. The busy, delicate and attractive patterns featured geometric, hearts, scrolls, flowers and overall crisscross designs on a finely stippled background. Among the first pieces made were heavy knobs, cup plates and master salts. During the later half of the Lacy Period, creamers, bowls, plates & other large items were manufactured. The Early American Pattern Glass houses were located primarily around Boston and Pittsburgh. Lacy glass had high lead content & was called flint glass & has a characteristic tone or ring when tapped. During this time sets of dishes were not produced on a large scale.
The Flint Era: 1845-1865
The next twenty years saw great improvements in the pressing machines and the techniques of the Early American Pattern Glass artisans. The patterns became simpler and more elegant. Specific patterns with a wide range of pieces all in the same pattern were available from glass factories as far west as Ohio and West Virginia. Early American Pattern Glass formulas that added color to the final product were well-guarded secrets of each factory. Most colored glass produced during this period was milk glass, originally called 'opal' by the artisans. Early American Pattern Glass was also made in amethyst, several shades of blue, canary (yellow) and red. All colored Early American Pattern Glass of this period is scarce and red is extremely rare.
The Victorian Era: 1865-1910
By 1865 the manufacturing processes of Early American Pattern Glass were perfected and the mold craftsmen were designing some fantastic motifs. During the 70's color became common at most factories. Lead rapidly disappeared from the glass formulas- so the story goes- because the lead was in short supply and need for bullets for the War effort. Soda or lime was able to replace the lead and it was cheaper and more plentiful. Early American Pattern Glass made by this new formula is referred to by some today as "soda glass" or "lime glass". The products were cheaper & the glassmakers were better paid. Pressed glass was very popular with hundreds of patterns being introduced each year. Some patterns included 100 or more different forms.
By 1891 the United States was deep into a recession that would last about eight years. The glass factories' overproduction in the previous fifteen years cost them, as the supply exceeded demand and factories went bankrupt almost daily. Two large combines of glass factories were formed.
The National Glass Company existed only four years but the U. S. Glass Company, formed in 1891 continued until 1984. Quality of the glass suffered as factories used the molds well past their useful lives. During the "Gay 90's" patterns that imitated cut glass came into favor with the buying public. Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward sold Early American Pattern Glass in department stores and catalogs. New colors were developed, especially emerald green, and techniques of applying color after the glass solidified were used to ad red, amber and gold touches to some patterns.
The A. H. Heisey Company was organized in 1896 and other companies responded by improving the quality of their Early American Pattern Glass. In the early 1900s the Northwood Company of Wheeling, West Virginia produced in Greentown, Indiana and some spectacular Early American Pattern Glass. Several very collectible patterns were made after 1910, but by 1910 the Victorian Era had ended.
Early American Pattern Glass Examples
Duncan Miller
Heisey |
