MOLD BLOWN GLASS 1810-1850:
This type of glassware was developed in the U.S. about 1815 as a low cost imitation of English cut glass. It is also known as blown-three-mold glass. However this is deceptive since molds with more or less than three pieces were also used.
THE PROCESS:
1. A glob of molten glass was placed into a hinged mold of two or more pieces.
2. The pattern was cut on the inside of the mold.
3. The gather was expanded until it pressed against the sides of the mold.
4. Sometimes small amounts of glass protruded at the seams on the finished article; but the seepage was less with mold blown glass than with pressed glass.
5. The glass was removed quickly from the mold and the top and bottom were finished by hand after the glass cooled.
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Mold blown glass has distinct characteristics:
It will have mold marks but they are less distinct than those found on pattern glass. After removal from the mold the piece was reheated quickly to eliminate mold marks. The stems and feet on blown articles were molded separately and applied to the body.
2. A protuberance on the outside has a corresponding depression on the inside and vice-versa.
3. Patterns tend to have greater definition than pressed glass.
4. The pattern designs and the patterns themselves are also distinct.
5. The quality of the glass used in mold blown pieces is usually better than that used in pressed glass.
THE PATTERNS:
Geometric (vertical ribbing, bands, diamond in the square, oblique ribbing, herringbone motifs, horizontal ribbing, sunburst, spiral ribbing), arched or Gothic, Baroque or shell.
Mold blown glass was made in a variety of colors: clear, shades of blue, amethyst, emerald green, light yellowish green. Both emerald green and amethyst are rare. The glass was made in a variety of pieces including decanters, glasses, cologne bottles, castor sets, tumblers, and pitchers. The popularity for this glass peaked in the late 1820s and little was made after 1840.
For more information about this type of glass read AMERICAN GLASS, The Fine Art of Glass Making in America, Geo. P. and Helen McKearinCrown Publishers, Inc., New York 1941, 1948, 633 p.
THE PROCESS:
1. A glob of molten glass was placed into a hinged mold of two or more pieces.
2. The pattern was cut on the inside of the mold.
3. The gather was expanded until it pressed against the sides of the mold.
4. Sometimes small amounts of glass protruded at the seams on the finished article; but the seepage was less with mold blown glass than with pressed glass.
5. The glass was removed quickly from the mold and the top and bottom were finished by hand after the glass cooled.
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Mold blown glass has distinct characteristics:
It will have mold marks but they are less distinct than those found on pattern glass. After removal from the mold the piece was reheated quickly to eliminate mold marks. The stems and feet on blown articles were molded separately and applied to the body.
2. A protuberance on the outside has a corresponding depression on the inside and vice-versa.
3. Patterns tend to have greater definition than pressed glass.
4. The pattern designs and the patterns themselves are also distinct.
5. The quality of the glass used in mold blown pieces is usually better than that used in pressed glass.
THE PATTERNS:
Geometric (vertical ribbing, bands, diamond in the square, oblique ribbing, herringbone motifs, horizontal ribbing, sunburst, spiral ribbing), arched or Gothic, Baroque or shell.
Mold blown glass was made in a variety of colors: clear, shades of blue, amethyst, emerald green, light yellowish green. Both emerald green and amethyst are rare. The glass was made in a variety of pieces including decanters, glasses, cologne bottles, castor sets, tumblers, and pitchers. The popularity for this glass peaked in the late 1820s and little was made after 1840.
For more information about this type of glass read AMERICAN GLASS, The Fine Art of Glass Making in America, Geo. P. and Helen McKearinCrown Publishers, Inc., New York 1941, 1948, 633 p.