Kovels on Antique Milk Glass

Here's a good description of what milk class is from Ralph and Terry Kovel, the authors of Kovels' Depression Glass & Dinnerware Price List.

Milk glass, an opaque white glass, was of course named for its color. The thick white glass was first popular from 1870 to 1880. It regained popularity in the 1920s and '30s, then in the 1950s to '80s. Glass factories made thousands of covered dishes, pitchers, small trays and even figurines.

But the descriptive terms "blue milk glass" or "black milk glass" are now used for some colored glass. Milk glass was made in many colors in the United States and Europe, especially France.

Portieux and Vallerysthal are two French names that appear on some colored milk glass made in the 20th century. The two companies merged in the 1970s. One unusual covered bowl made of blue milk glass by Portieux has a cover shaped like a fat man's head. He is smoking a pipe. A strange design for a 1933 sugar bowl.

Here are three good examples of the form.

vintage white milk glass with clear edges bowl and 2 candle holders