Between the late 19th century through the 1950s Brilliant Cut Glass was made by many American companies. From small cordials to huge punch bowls these beautiful light reflecting glass pieces were like diamonds on display. Brilliant Cut Glass was first introduced at the Centennial Exposition in 1876 and the Columbian Exposition of 1893. The popularity of using Brilliant Cut Glass items for parties and entertaining kept the factories producing these pieces for well over 75 years!
Brilliant Cut Glass was created by using a grinding method. Each blown glass blank was held up to a grinding wheel to cut each intricate, light reflecting pattern. After the design was complete, each cut was polished and finished by hand. Whew...How would you like to have been assigned to create a punch bowl today?
Most pieces were not signed by the manufacturer such as, Dorflinger, Corning and Meridan. Companies Libbey and Hawkes would use an acid etched mark.
When looking for Brilliant Cut Glass feel for the weight and sharpness of the pattern. The piece should feel very heavy as the glass blanks had to be thick in order to hold up to the constant wheel grinding of the pattern. The pattern edges should be sharp from the wheel grinding. If the edges are smooth, this is not American Brilliant Cut, but instead a much less expensive mold-blown piece.
Hope you've enjoyed today's blog and have a new appreciation for the beautiful pieces that represent American Brilliant Cut Glass.
Here's to a day full of Shopping and Smiles!
From your Super Shopper,
Purple Patty
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