Depression Glass Bowl Set
Now that I have been in the barn for a week cleaning out things, I found my grandmother’s depression glass bowls.
When grand-mom passed away, my sister, my mom, and I set about to the task as to sort through my grandmother’s things. When I found this set of bowls, being the only one who didn’t have a set, and since Linda and Mom didn’t want them, I took them. I thought they would come in handing for entertaining. It wasn’t until on one of those opportunities I was entertaining that someone said to me, “You know these are depression glass and are collectibles.”
I didn’t know.
Depression glass is clear or colored translucent glassware that was distributed free, or at low cost, in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. The Quaker Oats Company, and other food manufacturers and distributors, put a piece of glassware in boxes of food, as an incentive to purchase. Movie theaters and businesses would hand out a piece simply for coming in the door.
Although of marginal quality, Depression glass has been highly collectible since the 1960s. Due to its popularity as a collectible, Depression glass is becoming more scarce on the open market. Scarce pieces may sell for several hundred dollars. Some manufacturers continued to make popular patterns after World War II, or introduced similar patterns, which are also collectible. Popular and expensive patterns and pieces have been reproduced, and reproductions are still being made.
Here is one bowl and the next image the whole set:
From the late-20’s through the early ’40s, manufacturers such as Federal Glass, MacBeth-Evans, and Hocking Glass brought a little cheer into some very dreary days by manufacturing the product we now know as Depression glass. This mass-produced molded glassware was of relatively poor quality, often exhibiting air bubbles, heavy mold marks and other flaws in the glass, yet it came in beautiful colors and patterns to suit every taste.
The most popular colors with collectors today are pink, cobalt blue and green. It was made in amber, iridescent, opaque white known as Monax, and several other colors. Some of the most popular patterns buyers seek today are Cameo, Mayfair, American Sweetheart, Princess and Royal Lace. Even the pattern names alluded to better times and a longing for the glamorous lifestyles of the 1920s.
Now since I am no collector, I THINK what I have on my hands is a set of Federal Paneled Pink Depression Mixing Bowls – A pink depression glass paneled mixing bowl made by the Federal Glass Co. It has a flared rim and a square footed base.
I wonder what other items the barn will produce?
🙂
It’s beautiful, Barb. I remember a set of green bowls that Bart’s grandmother used to have. Makes me wonder if European manufacturers did the same thing.
I’m glad you found these and can enjoy using them. It’s a shame to let them stay in the garage.
You identified them correctly as from Federal Glass. Nice set!
This is the kind of story I watch Antiques Roadshow for, the family antique that no one knows they have. Their surprise is always so much stronger than those who know (or hope) they have something of value.
But your find is more endearing because it involves those who went through the Great Depression. Most are gone now, but they were a very strong generation.