Antique Milk Glass

Antique milk glass or opaque glass having a milky color (usually white but not all the time), became fashionable during the early 1900s and was used to produce tableware, plates, figurines and so many items. With regards to other varieties, there is a wide range of designs and quality of milk glass and some of it are decidedly collectible. In order to identify milk glass, research the history of the pattern pieces which you have on the pieces of milk glass which are interested in. The earliest pieces of milk glass came from around 1840s during the Victorian period. A lot of desirable pieces were patterns which came during this era. Some original patterns were Block and Fan and Button and Arches.

In identifying real antique milk glass, search for one from a slighter later time roughly the 1880s when the first figurines of milk glass were produced. Also added to recognition was the covered dish. Spot milk glass from the 1880s which is slightly dull in color than milky white. These pieces had arsenic added to the batches while still hot. Arsenic gave the dull hue. These are sought by antique collectors so have them appraised. The pieces made in the 20th century are also valuable such as the pieces manufactured before World War I when the milk glass was extremely popular especially in 1950s to 1960s.

There were a lot of new patterns which were added throughout this era in addition to continuing with the production of the old favorites. Some of the most popular manufacturers of the antique milk glass during the era were the Atterbury and the Westmoreland. Likewise, during this period there was the addition of colored milk glass. There were several dyes which were added to the hot glass to form blues, pinks, lavenders and greens to the milk collections. Websites will also help you compare various milk glasses in order to determine the value. To appraise the value of your vintage milk glass, have it handled or examined by a certified appraiser which specializes in glass.

Antique milk glass can also be determined by reading books on antique glass and through photographs showing these pieces during their popular era.