Antique Milk Glass

Here’s an interesting article from the Press of Atlantic City

Question: The covered milk glass cream pitcher and sugar bowl shown in my photographs were purchased at a Delaware thrift shop. They are 5 inches high, approximately 5 ½ inches wide and in perfect condition. Both pieces are marked with the intertwined W and G that I have drawn. I would be interested in knowing who made the set as well as its value and age. - B. H., Port Republic

Answer: The logo you provided was used by the Westmoreland Glass Co. of Grapeville, Ohio. Founded as the Westmoreland Specialty Co. in 1889, the firm became the Westmoreland Glass Co. in 1924 and used the logo you drew from 1949 until 1984, when the factory closed.

Your lidded set’s molds, featuring graceful swans nesting in bulrushes, were created by Westmoreland Specialty Co. at the turn of the last century. The pieces were part of a milk glass Swan line of table items that included covered celery vases, toothpick holders and salt cellars. A similar set with basket weave base was produced in blue milk glass.

Interest in milk glass was revived following WW II when Colonial-style architecture and interior décor were popular, and Westmoreland re-introduced the Swan line, hens-on-nests and other early milk glass objects that had enjoyed success. Known as Late Swan, your pieces are somewhat heavier and less opalescent than their early counterparts. However, a set with both lids intact will attract avid milk glass collectors who cheerfully pay $60 to $75 to own a perfect pair of Westmoreland swans.

And here are a few other milk glass swans to satisfy your collecting urges.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 25th, 2008 at 5:39 pm and is filed under Antique Milk Glass, Glass Animals, Westmoreland Glass Company.