First made from flint glass, lead glass formulas made cut glass scintillate like never before. The period from 1880 to the First World War saw the height of cut glass popularity, and due to the lead the United States glass houses took in the development of lead glass formulas and cutting glass, this is known as the American Brilliant Period. Thousands of different cut patterns were devised to make the most of the beautiful rainbows created by this fine glass.
A vase with an all-over cut pattern.
The basic form of the glass vessel was made by blowing the molten lead glass into an iron mold, usually made of three or more parts to form the basic shape of the goblet, vase or punchbowl. Once the glass had been removed from the mold and cooled, the blank was inspected to make sure there were no blemishes in the glass. The blank was then taken to a glass cutter, who followed the specified drawing or model to grind the facets into the glass body. Barring accident or a slip of the hand, a beautiful wine glass or flower vase was the final result.
This cut glass vase has a much simpler pattern and a gold lip.
Molds were used to ensure the uniformity of the basic glass form, and the glass cutter had to repeat the same hand-cut pattern on the glass to create sets of matching glasses. Several sizes of glasses for different beverages were ordered by the dozen by someone furnishing a new house. The patterns were modified to fit the shape of the glass so the same pattern could be used for all the serving pieces used at table: various wine glasses, decanters, finger bowls, knife rests, mint dishes, sauce dishes, gravy boats, vases, fruit bowls, and on and on. During its heyday, the number of cut glass pieces needed to “properly” equip a formal dining room was enormous. And, while there was considerable breakage with use, many of these beautiful pieces still exist. Boudoir items of cut glass include picture frames, a dresser tray and perfume bottles, including antique perfume bottles.
Cut crystal glasses come in many patterns,
Cut glass is still being made today. Irish manufacturers are well known for the cut glass they produce now, and there are still cut glass houses in the US. The best way to find new cut glass is to ask in the china department of a large department store. They should be able to give you the name of several glass manufacturers. Do not be surprised at the price for new cut glass, as it still has to be hand cut even if the molding process has been automated. Furthermore, lead glass is more expensive to make in the first place. But the beauty of the finished product is without compare. No other material has the clarity of lead glass and no other method of finishing brings out the beauty of this glass like the faceting of cut glass.
Cutting is also used on colored glasses. The color in the glass brings out the pattern of the cut by the variation in the color.
The images on this post are from Stock Xchnge.
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