Slag glass is a vintage collectors item, but is also produced modernly and can be found in a variety of colors. Slag glass has a rich history that makes it extremely valuable to collectors. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'antiqueanswers_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-antiqueanswers_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Challinor Taylor and Co. was an early U.S. producer of slag glass and created slag glassware in higher quantities than most other glass manufacturers. Have any questions? Kitschy Avon Collectibles With Nostalgic Appeal. Image 2: Tiffany Studios Patinated-Bronze and Leaded Favrile Glass Poinsettia Floor Lamp. Antique Glass Lampshades and Their Timeless Appeal They also began producing opaque golden, creamy colored glass known as caramel slag that allowed the passage of enough light to give a room a soft, warm, golden ivory glow. Typically slag glass antiques will be vases, dishes, bowls and decorative figurines and picture frames. Slag glass is named after silicate slag, a colorful material that is a byproduct of molten steel. At first glance the two can appear similar, but a close examination of the glass opacity will often be enough to differentiate one from the other. Fenton rose crest cornucopia candle holder 2. Slag is a somewhat unusual word, and unless you really know your glassware, the term Slag Glass probably wont ring a sort of bell at first. Rubber and vinyl coated wires were not used until the post-World War II era. American companies (Taylor, Northwood, Dugan, Akro Agate, Westmorland) began manufacturing this type of glass during the late 19th to early 20th century. How to identify Fenton glassware 1. Always do your research and be cautious when purchasing or collecting slag glass. Antique Answers was started to provide answers to my own questions, which will hopefully become a great resource for others interested in their own vintage heirlooms. This is the most difficult distinction to make if youre not a professional. This common characteristic of slag glass can add to its unique appearance. Slag glass is also sometimes used to refer to marbled glass pieces that didnt technically use slag as an additive. It can seem strange to think of putting metal byproducts into a beautiful piece of glass, but it is super common to use a wide selection of additives and compounds to give glassware unique looks. 2022 HEIRLOOMS AT HOME & AGELESS HEIRLOOMS. Most companies have halted the production of slag glass items altogether. Remember, being cautious and taking your time while identifying slag glass can help ensure you make a wise purchasing decision. -Cracked, repaired, or otherwise damaged shades have virtually no value. Its worth keeping an eye out for unique slag glass pieces in unexpected places! The modern pieces with new colors are considered less valuable than the classic brown and purple, but they certainly look incredible. Unique antique lamps, especially those made during the Victorian era, had glass that was hand blown. Vintage Slag Glass Value (Identification & Price Guides) - Noname Antiques Identification Tips & History Highlights, One of the most unusual types of antique glass that collectors can investigate, Vaseline glass is absolutely fascinating due to its color, history, and radioactive components. The edges may be uneven or jagged, and the overall shape may be asymmetrical. Slag glass is created when steelmaking byproducts are melted down and formed into translucent blocks or shards. The value of vintage slag glass, as with any antique, will depend on the quality of its condition, time period, and most importantly, the manufacturer. These patterns are created during the manufacturing process and give slag glass its unique appearance. Quezal shades were often used in groups on a table lamp or chandelier. Here is everything that you could ever want to know about slag glass. Slag glass was made by British companies Sowerby, Davidson and Greener during the Victorian era, around the 1880's . The worth and value of slag glass varies. Avon calling. "Slag glass" is a collectors' name for opaque pressed glass with coloured streaks, usually white and/or cream streaks like this brown bugle made by George Davidson's in the North East of England in the 1890's. The name derives from the belief that these colours were achieved by adding slag from iron smelting works to the glass. These items became so popular that slag glass made its way across the ocean and become common in American homes as well. Some of the other names for slag glass come from its historical beginnings. An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written about antiques for many years. Happy cleaning! Popular slag glass lampshades shapes included mushroom, dome and flower petals. However, towards the edge of the streak, the slag may instead be a lighter and creamier version of whatever the base color was since they were more mixed together. SHADE A vintage figural spelter table lamp, the depiction of a young man holding a cluster of grapes. Consult a professional or experienced collector if youre unsure about a pieces authenticity. Very similar to the photo on page 182 of Paul Crist's book. 1930s Traditional Slag Glass Lamp; Share. Telling slag glass apart from other styles is actually quite simple. The strict definition of slag glass means that it has powdered silicate slag from iron smelting mixed into the glass to create streaks. One of the most common applications of vintage slag glass is in lighting. You can find antique slag lighting fixtures for sale on websites such as Etsy for as low as $20 or as much as $16,000. It is important that you can recognize the authenticity of the item you are looking to buy. Two of these patents, numbers 656891 and 774602, clearly depict the SUCCESS burner in their accompanying patent drawing. For example, simple things like a bowl sold for around $20 apiece. I think the one c stands for a casting company. This is due to the rarity of the color. Slag Glass Lamp - Aspire Auctions Happy hunting! Ruby Red LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Slag Glass Identification and Valuation - Antique Answers Lampshades and chandeliers were commonly produced out of slag glass. CO. SLAG GLASS LAMP Base marked M.L. Cabinet-Sized Slag Glass Specimen E1700 | eBay The price of slag glass ranges considerably from five dollars for small slag glass pieces, to antiques that would garner hundredsif not thousands of dollars. From Art Deco to 1970s Contemporary, we tried to list as many lamp manufacturers as we could find. Most pieces are decorative in nature, sprucing up side tables and bookshelves. H. Scantily clad figure stretching to support the shade. Would anyone know the company that might of cast this lamp base? Caramel 'Slag Lamp' Value Lights Up - Antique Trader $1,551 57% Off $3,600. Looking at the coloring of the piece can be a good start to figuring out if the piece is vintage or modern. Without the need for the residue product of iron ore, the manufacture of mosaic glass exploded in Europe and the US and its popularity has not waned since. Examine the lamp base and verify that it has a real bronze finish. It wasnt longer before Davidson, Sowerby and other glass makers began experimenting with different colors, combining streaks of creamy opal with purple, yellow, blue, and green. Vintage slag glass is a lot more restrictive in color options than recently produced pieces are. But what makes a slag glass lamp collectible, and how can you tell if you have a genuine antique? The original factory was in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1905. When iron-ore is smelting during steel production, the remaining residue is a glass-like, glossy material. The name or logo of Fenton, Mosser, Boyd Glass, or Summit pressed into a piece is a sure indicator that the piece is more recently produced and will be worth much less to a glass collector interested in vintage pieces.