How to Shop for a Cut Glass Vase

Nothing compares to the beauty and elegance of a lovely cut glass vase for a perfect table centerpiece or a gorgeous accent for any room.

A cut glass vase can be used to hold a spray of flowers, and is equally suited to a dozen exquisite roses, a single splendid orchid, or a spray of colorful wild flowers.  A cut glass vase can also provide a perfect receptacle for candles and it is ideal as décor for an elegant and sophisticated look at a wedding. Arranging flowers in cut glass vases of varying heights and proportions can add dimension and texture to any setting. A cut glass vase can serve as a perfect centerpiece in any season. Seasonal flowers can be displayed at any time in them. In the winter, one can fill them with colorful potpourri.  Autumn is a great time for using a cut glass vase to display Indian corn, dried cranberries, pinecones, colorful dried legumes, or nuts and dried fruits. Dried flowers standing in a cut glass vase are beautiful throughout the winter months when the sparkle of the glass can brighten a dreary room.

Cut glass vases are often clear glass, but they are also available in different colors and in frosted glass as well. Signed vases are usually worth considerably more than mass produced cut glass vases, but for those interested in buying a vase for looks alone, rather than monetary value, there are plenty of inexpensive and attractive choices.

Cut glass is from an era known as the brilliant period, from about 1876 to 1907. It is easily recognizable by the deep carved out areas along the surface of the glass. Often, multiple glassmakers or artists worked on a single piece of cut glass and a vase may have one designer to etch out a pattern and several others to slowly and carefully deepen the design in the glass. A vintage cut glass vase can be a very valuable addition to any household, not only in monetary value, but because these pieces can be stunning works of art in and of themselves.

Obviously, there are multiple uses for a cut glass vase.  There are also multiple places to purchase these vases and many different styles, shapes and sizes of cut glass vases available as well.

One of the most enjoyable ways to shop for gorgeous vintage cut glass vases would be to browse through local antique shops and second hand stores. Though this type of shopping is less likely to give a person a large selection from which to choose, every shopping trip can be a treasure hunt. Then, when that perfect cut glass vase is discovered, it adds to the excitement of the purchase, and gives the buyer not only a beautiful new piece for their home, but also a charming story to tell about how it was found. Estate sales and local estate auctions are also an excellent choice for those shopping for a unique vintage cut glass vase.

However, this type of shopping takes patience and time, so when either of those are in short supply, the Internet is the best place to shop for the ideal cut glass vase to compliment any home furnishing and add the perfect finishing touch to a room. There are many cut glass vases available on the Internet, from the simple and inexpensive to elaborate, ornate works of art that are an investment in good taste and class. From the brilliant, unusual shape of the Hawkes signed Corning vase with a long stem and a star cutting on the base that sells for nearly $900 to the simple vintage cut glass vase from Poland that sells for under $15, the selection is varied and vast. From eBay to exclusive antique dealers online, there are so many different places to find cut glass vases on the Internet that a person needs to take some time and do the research to find their ideal piece.

Whether a person is a serious collector of a particular style or maker, or just someone who is seeking a pretty accent for their dining room table, they will be able to find the perfect cut glass vase with just a little effort. That effort may be in footwork as they duck into charming antique shops to browse around, or by spending some time on a search engine, sorting through vases by price or brand, style or color.  Whatever the method or means, finding the perfect cut glass vase to accent that space or to give as a gift to a lucky bride is always a treasure hunt with a happy ending.

   

What is a Cut Glass Vase?

When we speak of a “cut glass vase” we are referring to a glass vase that is decorated solely by cutting or etching the glass either by hand, or with rotating wheels.  A cut glass vase can be in the form of a variety of different shapes and created from different processes.  The glass can be clear, transparent color, opaque color, painted, enameled, etc and can be blown or molded.  The one thing that they all have in common is that they are designed by cutting.

For collectors, a cut glass vase is almost always used to describe vases made in the American Brilliant Period.  This was between 1876 – 1917.  Some of the best examples of Brilliant Period cut glass were created in what was known as the “Era of Super Glass” between 1908 and 1915.  Cut glass vases from this period are highly sought after by collectors and can be fairly expensive.

The appeal of cut glass vases is not only in their unique beauty, but in the fact that they are completely hand cut.  They represent the very best of the finest glass cutters the world has ever seen.  Although glass cutting dates back as early as ancient Egypt, and it was very popular in Europe and other parts of the world, cut glass was not produced in America until 1771.  Around about 1830, American cut glass manufacturers began lending their own styles to the craft, which eventually grew to create works of craftsmanship that surpassed that of any other country in the world.

The use of hand cut glass began to decline just prior to the beginning of the First World War.  Since every piece was hand cut, labor costs for each piece was high.  New methods were created to lower labor costs and acid polishing and form molding started to predominate.  Although these processes were cheaper than hand cutting, they produced a lower quality product.  By 1917, the hand cut glass vase (and hand cut glass in general) industry was dead.

Cut glass is still being manufactured around the world today.  Although some of these pieces are very nice, they do not mach the quality of craftsmanship of pieces created during the Brilliant Period.  My best advice is that if you are looking for a cut glass vase, that you do your homework and make sure you know what you want.  For most people, contemporary cut glass pieces are a beautiful addition to their home décor.  For others, only the best will do. If you fall under the latter category, expect to pay quite a bit for your vase, but you already knew that didn’t you?

This article is but a scratch in the surface in the world of the cut glass vase.  For much more information, I would recommend that you check out the American Cut Glass Association at www.cutglass.org.

Here are some great books on cut glass vases.

Cut Glass Vase

Welcome to Cut Glass Vase. Whether you are looking to buy or create your own cut vase, you have come to the right place.  This site will help you to find all of the info you need to get the cut glass vase you have been looking for.  We will show you where to buy them for less, how to tell a high quality vase from a vase of lesser quality, and even different ways to make your own beautiful cut glass vase!

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