Crafting Glass

Leaded crystal glass, sometimes called “Flint Glass” is being cut today in Belgium, Ireland, West Germany, and in many other countries of the world. However I feel that with careful observation and comparison you will come to the conclusion that old American cut glass pieces (called American Brilliant Cut Glass) more often than not beat all the rest! In craftsmanship, quality, and intrinsic beauty the American glass often excels even the best of the modern cut glass. American Brilliant glass (a collectible glass, by the way) was made by many glass houses (companies) from about 1876 to 1917. The glass used in the “Brilliant Period” to make the cut glass objects was made with up to 40% lead oxide. This ingredient gives the glass a shine and reflection like the fine leaded crystal glass that it is. The art glass designs on the object were also “cut” by hand using carborundum or stone wheels. Many of the patterns were very intricate. The hand work was very labor intensive so the cut glass pieces were expensive (even way back then). Today the American Brilliant cut glass (ABCG) is generally quite affordable, except for the most exquisite items.

There have been some scoundrels who have faked the more expensive American Brilliant Cut Glass items. To tell the real item from the fake is sometimes difficult but if you follow the following guidelines you can generally avoid getting scammed.

1. The weight of the true cut glass is generally quite heavy compared to a similar size “fake”.

2. The old, authentic, glass should have some obvious wear marks on the bottom. Generally the item was used many times over the last 100 or so years so wear (on the bottom only) is expected. The wear marks should be random, as would naturally occur.

3. In bright light the genuine piece should sparkle and put on quite a show as it is turned in the light. Cheap fakes are often not as reflective.

4. A genuine ABCG glass will ring clear, like a bell, when flicked with your fingernail. Inexpensive reproductions will not usually sound so nice.

5. The incised “cut” lines in the designs are clear and clean with sharp edges, an indication of having been cut with a tool, not molded into the glass with heat.

6. The glass in the ABCG piece should have a water-white clarity with virtually no bubbles or defects like “seeds” (unfused sand particles).

A very important additional tip: Buy only from a dealer you know to have a good reputation. Perhaps you may also wish to ask where he or she obtained the ABCG piece and its history, if known.

Please look at the very short video below to see an example of an ABCG pitcher.