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.

McKee Swan on Split Rib Base (Unsigned) - Milk Glass US $75.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 19:27:14 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

Vintage BLUE MILK GLASS NESTING SWAN Trinket Box US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 13:19:17 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

5 Macbeth Evans Swan Song Art Deco Milk glass bowl dish US $5.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 13:23:38 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

OLD Milk Glass Swan on Basket Covered Dish US $8.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 4:32:50 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Gorgeous MilkGlass Vase/ 3 Swans, 3 Panels, Cattails.. US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 22:28:34 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Fenton Glass is one of the most popular, if not the most popular make of carnival and milk glass. Collectors avidly seek it in antique shops and in on-line auctions. Among the favorite forms of many glass collectors are the hens on nests. Fenton produced a glass chickens in a rainbow of colors.

Fenton Aquamarine Green Rooster / Chicken US $6.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 16:45:23 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Fenton Iridized Opalescent Pearl Pink Rooster / Chicken US $6.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 16:55:55 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Fenton Frosted Pink Milk Glass Chicken Covered Dish US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 19:14:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Fenton Art Glass Hen on Nest Chicken Deviled Egg Plate US $279.97 End Date: Tuesday Dec-02-2008 20:40:43 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

FENTON ANIMAL FONT CHICKEN, DUCK BUNNY RABBIT SPOKE US $149.95 End Date: Sunday Dec-14-2008 13:34:55 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

Founded in 1901 in Bellaire, Ohio, Imperial Glass Co, became a subsidiary of Lenox, Inc., in 1973. It was eventually sold to Arthur R. Lorch in 1981. Collectors of Imperial Glass link the freehand art glass, and carnival glass along with other top-quality tablewares. Imperial Glass is well known for it’s fanciful glass in such shapes a pheasants, elephants, horses, hens, and woodchucks.

Satin Crystal Dove Pheasant Covered Dish Imperial Glass US $24.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 8:08:18 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Heisey & Heisey by Imperial Glass Animals US $17.00 End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 11:23:03 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

Heisey & Heisey by Imperial Glass Animals US $19.99 End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 11:24:03 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

Vintage Glass Animal ID Book Imperial Westmoreland Etc US $24.99 End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 11:25:40 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list