Friday, September 7, 2012

Antique, What is it?

   This is my first blog post about Antiques. A while back I asked readers to send pictures and ask questions about there antiques. I have one today to share with you.
  This question is coming from Gina and her blog is: Victorian Want to be. Her question is about the item pictured here. She bought it an an auction and wants to know, it's age, what it is,  and maybe who made it and of course, what is it worth.



  Gina had thought that perhaps it was a perfume bottle. Well, that is not right. I am afraid a bottle this big would hold more perfume than the average person who want to pay for. Actually this is a cruet. It is what we all refer to as, " Cranberry Glass." Cranberry glass was made by many companies and in many countries. including America. It is a process  that is done by adding gold(oxide) to molten glass. It is most often made in small  batches, due to the cost of gold. The oxide is made by dissolving gold in metric acid and hydrochloric acid. The finished glass is a type of colloid - a solid(gold) dispersed into another solid (glass).
   The most famous maker of Cranberry glass was the Moser Glass Company. The company based in the Czech Republic , previously Bohemia and  Austria .Due to it's quality is has become one of the most collected glass in the 20 and 21 century. Often chosen by Royals for there palaces. The Moser glass is often decorated with Gold and tiny floral designs. This  is how most people associate this type of glass to being Moser.
   I believe you cruet could be Moser. It has the good cranberry color, gold decoration and quality. Now,  they still produce this type cruet today. With out holding your piece in my hand, it might prove hard to say it really is Moser. The thickness of the glass and holding the piece to the side, you can see the gold cranberry color trapped inside the clear. If this is not possible, it is a fake and might be what they call ,"flash." Which means painted. Today there is a process to make cranberry glass with out adding the gold. The color is off , more dark pink and usually very thick. Your piece appears to be real.
  Other companies copied the Moser look. England was a big maker of cranberry glass and they loved to decorate it as well. If yours is, indeed Moser, the value could be as much as $200.00. There is some times a signature. It is often hid in the design. Be sure and go over it with a fine tooth comb. You know a signature can add  a lot to the value.Maybe making it worth $350.00
  I would guess this piece was made in the late part of the 1900's. But as I mentioned before, could be newer, as they are still making  pieces like this.
   With out really seeing and holding it,  I would guess in  today's market, I would price it at $95 to $110.00 I hope this helped.
   Bloggers, please send your pictures and questions. Remember to email me the pictures to www.cottrellprissy@aol.com. Until next time. Richard and Sissy

8 comments:

Missouri Gal said...

That's beautiful!

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Oh Richard! I was so excited to see my cruet on your blog!! Thankyou so much for telling me all about it. I do have ruby flash pieces and know that it is not flashed. Couldn't find a signature on it anywhere though. At the moment I have it on my antique dresser, so I guess now I must move it down to the kitchen in my antique china cabinet. I didn't realize cruets came so small, wow you learn something new everyday, huh? Thanks again Richard! Gina

Love Of Quilts said...

This is a good idea you have for a new blog. I have a clock I have always wanted to know about. I will send you the picture. Thank you for this service you are willing to give to us all. Trish

Martha said...

I think this is a great blog!

Sea Witch said...

Richard I love this. I used to do appraisals and it's always a joy to provide history and a value to others. Keep this going.

Susan said...

Oh Richard, I LOVE cranberry glass. That is one of my favorite collections.

It's so very Victorian. The piece in your post is stunning. Great job!

Love the column. Susan

Bohemian said...

Oh what Fun Richard that you are Sharing your vast knowledge and expertise about Antiques with us here in the Land of Blog!

I 'Scored' a Palace Style Persian Rug curbside a little while ago that my Grand-Daughter spied as we were driving by just before bulk garbage pickup and Saved it from a Landfill fate *insert shudder*... I should send you a pix so you could tell me what Region you think it could be from? I'm just not certain but it looks very expensive and is definitely colored with Vegetable Dye... it had that distinctive unpleasant Vegetable Dye odor when I cleaned it up. *Winks*

Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

Curtains in My Tree said...


what a lovely cruet Gina has I always liked cranberry glass and never collected it because a friend I ran with did, so I didn't want to compete with her

so glad you can fill us all in with your knowledge Richard