Opaline glass ... I absolutely love it and especially in blue. It may be the perfect shade of turquoise, don't you think? I spotted some opaline blue in an antique store and immediately recalled seeing the same glasses in a relative's home as a child. I loved it then in its home in her beautiful china cabinet and I think I may adore it even more now.
The name opaline refers to opaque or colored glass. According to Wikipedia it is "a decorative style of glass made in France from 1800 to the 1890s, though it reached its peak of popularity during the reign of Napoleon III in the 1850s and 1860s." Available in many colors, green, blue, pink, black, lavender and yellow, the blue is by far my favorite color. You can find the glass in a number of pieces, including vases, bowls, cups, coupes, decanters, perfume bottles, boxes and even clocks. I am drawn to vases, cups and most definitely boxes. While doing research I learned so many facts.
All opaline glass is hand-blown and has a rough or polished pontil on the bottom. There are no seams and no machine engraving. Many pieces of opaline glass are decorated with gilding. Some with handpainted flowers or birds. Several have bronze ormolu mounts, rims, hinges or holders. Real opaline glass was produced only in France. In the 20th century Italy produced a similar glass and called it opaline veritable.
Collecting opaline glass is not easy, as it quite expensive when I do spot it. I seem to either spot glasses in a set of two or a very large set that is way outside my budget. For the time being I have collected the glasses we own in pairs, that way I can use for the Hubs and me or myself and one bestie.
image via Kristen Hechler
Don't you think that tiny bit of turquoise makes a large impact? For the moment I just own the six glasses but I am on the hunt for a compote and a box that I can add to my collection and to our home. It may take a while, but I am perfectly fine waiting until I find just the piece. I have found most of my glasses while hunting and shopping antiques and vintage pieces, but I also spotted quite a large selection here.
Until then I will drool at Grace's collection in her home, more of which you can spot here. Her glasses make me swoon ...
Happy Tuesday all!
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