Unlike furniture or soft furnishings, vintage and antique glassware tends to wear well – a byproduct of that very British inclination to keep such pieces 'for best.' Decanters, wine glasses and bowls were lightly used, carefully displayed and just as carefully put away. Which is why, decades later, they continue to reappear.
These are not rare objects – quite the opposite, they were widely owned – which means there's a fair chance something of value is already sitting in a cupboard or attic.
Here are five types worth a second look.
1. Cut crystal decanter sets
Proper cut crystal feels solid and weighty, with sharply defined patterns that catch the light. Many British households acquired decanter sets in the 1960s and 70s – as wedding or retirement gifts – and they were often used sparingly and stored in their original boxes.
Pieces from makers such as Edinburgh Crystal and Waterford are still in demand today. A full set with matching glasses is far more desirable than a mix of odds and ends, and a boxed set could reach as much as £800.
2. English lustre glass
Lustre glass was widely produced in the early 20th century and remained a popular decorative choice for decades after. Lustre glass bowls were bought simply as attractive household pieces, which is why they can still be found in good condition.
Examples from makers such as Sowerby and Davidson Glass are particularly sought after, especially where the pattern is crisp and the colour consistent. Large bowls and more unusual colours attract the most interest – often resold for up to £300 – but even modest pieces have a steady market.
3. Pyrex sets
Few brands cook up as much enthusiasm among vintage collectors as Pyrex. While a handful of promotional or experimental designs can fetch thousands, many of the most desirable pieces were mass-produced in the 1950s and ’60s and are still within reach today.
Complete nesting sets are the most sought after, but even a single surviving bowl can be of interest if the pattern is right.
4. Perfume bottles
Small and easily overlooked, glass perfume bottles are one of the more likely items to be sitting in an old dressing table or at the back of a bathroom cabinet. Many were bought as gifts and kept long after the contents were used up.
The more valuable examples are usually cut glass rather than moulded, and complete with a stopper or atomiser. Early 20th-century pieces, particularly those with simple Art Deco lines or more intricate faceting, tend to hold the most interest – fetching in excess of £150, with the occasional stronger example going beyond that.
5. Coloured Victorian glasses
Deep ruby-pink cranberry glass was fashionable in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and is one of the most visually distinctive finds. Decanters, jugs, water sets and vases all turn up, and quality pieces with gilding or enamelled decoration are the most valuable.
They’re not rare, but finding a whole set is increasingly difficult, which is where the value lies. A good cranberry glass claret jug might fetch £200 and a matched cranberry glass set considerably more.
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Rachel Edwards is the Style & Interiors Editor for Country Living and House Beautiful, covering all things design and decoration, with a special interest in small space inspiration, vintage and antique shopping, and anything colour related. Her work has been extensively translated by Elle Japan and Elle Decor Spain. Rachel has spent over a decade in the furniture and homeware industry as a writer, FF&E designer, and for many years as Marketing Manager at cult design retailer, Skandium. She has a BA in French and Italian from Royal Holloway and an MA in Jounalism from Kingston University. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelaed
