You may have seen the colorful hues of this delicate glass in consignment stores or flea markets. Depression glass has a vibrant array of blush pink, warm amber, cobalt and azure blues and other vivid tints.
The beauty of the glass reaches beyond a vintage aesthetic to a desperate time of unemployment and poverty during the Great Depression. It was then that glass manufacturers found it impossible to continue to make expensive cut glass and crystal, so they began producing a cheaper glass that everyone could afford.
Depression glass was a glimmer of hope and allowed the average housewife to buy something beautiful. It was often given out for free, since the glass makers partnered with movie theaters and food companies who would offer the glass as an incentive to go to the movies or buy a product.
This is my Depression glass in my dining room built-in hutch. The plates are a Princess pattern and the goblet seen clearly in front, is the Federal Glass company's Sharon, also referred to as Cabbage Rose. I haven't been able to identify the drinking goblets yet.
I'm relatively new to collecting Depression glass and there are numerous pattern silhouettes and many manufacturers. I used the book Warman's Antiques & Collectibles to help identify my patterns. There's also the Warman's Depression Glass Field Guide: Values and Identification.
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I set my table with blush Depression glass, garden roses and a simple white cake with strawberries. (The bright pink cake plate is a modern replica from Home Goods).
Depression glass commands an appreciation for innovation and charm. It deserves a place at any vintage party and while the themes are endless, I'm envisioning a dinner party with colbalt blue glassware and the sounds of Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington or a 30's Noir party with vintage cocktails in ruby red glass goblets.
Whether a vintage party or simply a new decor, I hope you find vintage glassware that brings you joy.
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