Silver Overlay on Glass
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This is a presentation on Silver overlay on glass including its historical origins in the 19th century and how the process was perfected. It covers European silver overlay, Mexican silver overlay and American silver overlay. It then focuses on the silver overlay down on pieces from Consolidated Lamp & Glass Company in Coraopolis, PA. It was presented by Jack D. Wilson at the banquet of the Phoenix & Consolidated Glass Collectors Club at their 21st annual convention on July 27, 2013. Location was the Embassy Suites, Pittsburgh Airport in Coraopolis, PA. All contents Copyright Jack D. Wilson – All Rights Reserved. Jack D. Wilson is the author of Phoenix & Consolidated Art Glass 1926-1980 published in 1989 (and out of print since 1999). It was the seminal reference book on this type of art glass. He was an advisor for Schroeder’s Antique Price Guide for ten years on both the Phoenix and Consolidated Glass categories and was also instrumental in the founding of the Phoenix & Consolidated Glass Collectors’ Club, which celebrated it 21st annual convention in 2013. Did you enjoy this? If you want more information about Phoenix & Consolidated glass please visit our web site http://www.pcgcc.org/ where you can learn about our club, its quarterly newsletter and our annual convention. We also have a Facebook Group page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCGCC/
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Silver Overlay on Glass
- 1. SILVER OVERLAY ON GLASS Copyright Jack D. Wilson – All Rights Reserved Phoenix & Consolidated Glass Collectors Club Banquet July 27, 2013
- 2. ABOUT JACK WILSON Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 3. HISTORICAL ORIGINS This is an electroplating process, first developed by Oscar Pierre Erard in England in 1889. His process was used on clear glass, but the silver attached to the glass turned black, a major problem. An improved process which solved the “blackening” problem was developed by John H. Scharling from New Jersey in 1893 From 1895 to the late 1920‟s, silver overlay glass was produced in large quantities by the Czechs, Italians. French, English, Austrians (Loetz) and Americans. Silver overlay was also used on art pottery, a prime example is Rookwood Pottery. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 4. HISTORICAL ORIGINS In the United States, Gorham & Alvin (Providence, Rhode Island), made the bulk of the early “heavy” overlay using blanks from the Steuben glass works. Early (late 19th and early 20th century) uses were typically “heavy” applications of silver and many were hallmarked. Purists call this “heavy” application “silver overlay” as opposed to “lighter” applications called „silver deposit.” Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 5. ALVIN MFG. BOWL This was sold on eBay in 2012. It was hallmarked with the old Alvin Mfg. mark, circa 1886-1890. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 6. 1906 AD This ad appeared in the January 24, 2006 issue of Jewelers Circular Weekly. Note the price, $13.50, this was expensive in 1906. Ad courtesy of The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 7. EUROPEAN SILVER OVERLAY Late 19th, early 20th century Loetz vase with heavy silver overlay, hallmarked sterling. This was listed on eBay with a starting bid of $699.00 in 2012. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 8. 1 0 " L O E T Z S I L V E R O V E R L A Y PA P I L L I O N A R T N O U V E A U G L A S S VA S E Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 9. MEXICAN SILVER OVERLAY This is Mexican with excellent heavy silver overlay, hallmarked Hecho en Mexico (Made in Mexico) 925 sterling. This was listed on eBay in 2013. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 10. LOTUS GLASS COMPANY Note the silver overlaid “Rocket” vase in the ad for the Lotus Glass Company. From the October 30, 1930 issue of Pottery, Glass & Brass Salesman. Ad courtesy of The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 11. ROCKWELL SILVER COMPANY MERIDEN CONNECTICUT Founded in 1906 by brothers Curtiss and Lucien Rockwell. Bought blanks from many companies: Duncan and Miller, Heisey, Jeanette, Federal Glass, Fostoria, Colonial Glass, Imperial, Cambridge, Indiana, Viking, Pairpoint and Consolidated. Did some of the Regent line silver overlay. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 12. AMERICAN SILVER OVERLAY Heisey #1425 Cigarette Holder & Ashtray Silver Overlay Rockwell Geese On eBay in 2012 Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 13. ROCKWELL OVERLAY Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 14. 1927 DUGAN BARCELONA Sometimes confused with Consolidated Catalonian, Dugan Barcelona was the only one made in black glass. Consolidated did not make a shape like this. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 16. #4021 GINGER JAR Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 17. MORE CON-CORA Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 18. RUBA ROMBIC Jungle Green whiskey decanter with silvered panels. This is RARE! Courtesy of the Chuck Kaplan Art Deco collection. Photo credit: Fitz Francois One decanter set known in Smoky Topaz, reportedly broken by a cat. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 19. KOPP MODERNISTIC Kopp Modernistic vase, black glass with silver panels. This is extremely rare. Circa 1929. Blue vase shown for comparison. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 20. KOPP MODERNISTIC Kopp Modernistic vase. Black glass with silver panels. This shape is rarer than the previous shape, again circa 1929, extremely rare. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 21. GREEN FLORENTINE Green Florentine vases with silvered end panels. These are rare. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 22. COFFEE FLORENTINE This image was scanned from a photo sent to me in 1997 while I was in Chicago. Extremely rare in the coffee color. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 23. REGENT LINE A room sale at the 2012 Convention to a club member in Coraopolis. Shape #4014 in aqua blue cased with silver decoration Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 24. REGENT LINE Shape #4014 in aqua blue cased with silver decoration Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 25. REGENT LINE Sold at 2012 Member‟s Only Convention Auction for $375.00. With original label from Rockwell Silver Company. Small ginger jar, 7.5” high, shape #4020 in aqua blue cased with silver decoration Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 26. REGENT LINE Medium ginger jar, 9.5” high, shape #4021 in aqua blue cased with silver decoration This ginger jar features a very attractive Water Lily design. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 27. REGENT LINE Regent aqua blue cased 10” x 4” cylinder vase with a silver overlay of Lilies and butterflies. This shape is not shown in the Regent catalog. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 28. REGENT SILVER OVERLAY Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 29. CONSOLIDATED RED GLASS WITH SILVER OVERLAY Small (4020) and medium (4021) ginger jars in red glass with intricate silver overlay. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 30. TARNISH OR NOT? Some silver overlay pieces tarnish and some do not. Many of the pieces made in the United States in the 1925 to 1935 period had a rhodium treatment when made and these do not tarnish. In 1931 Lotus Glass Company was advertising their non-tarnish process, which they called “Trianon.”. For Consolidated silver overlay pieces, some tarnish and some do not. So we either have multiple manufactures of the overlay (most likely) or it was done in different periods with different processes. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 31. CONCLUSIONS The height of silver overlay popularity was reached in the late 1920‟s. Silver overlay went out of fashion by 1935, a casualty of the Great Depression (silver deposit work continued until at least 1950). The Regent cased glass catalog is undated, but given the above and the fact Consolidated shut down in 1931, it is most probable that: • Regent cased glass was made in the late 1920‟s • Silver overlay on Regent cased glass was done in the late 1920‟s Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 32. CONCLUSIONS Only a couple of pieces of Ruba Rombic have surfaced with silver overlay. They have to date from 1928 or 1929. Silver overlay on Kopp Modernistic is extremely rare. Silver decoration seen on some Con-Cora was done by National Silver Deposit Ware Co. Inc. of New York, NY which closed in 1950. It is distinctively different than the silver overlay seen on cased Regent pieces. It was probably done just before they closed in 1950. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 33. CONCLUSIONS In the 19th and early 20th centuries silver was cheap. So much so that silver overlay “seconds” were broken rather than trying to reclaim the silver plating. As the price of silver increased, less and less silver was used. We went from very heavy silver overlay on glass to the silver deposit approach we see on some Con-Cora pieces. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 34. SOURCES OF INFORMATION “The Elegance of Silver Overlay,” www.myantiquemall.com The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia eBay Chuck Kaplan Silver on Glass by Roserita Ziegler. Glass Review Feb. 1979 WorthPoint (online) – 2005 sale of Consolidated silver deposit vase with National Silver Deposit Ware label. Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 35. DID YOU ENJOY THIS? If you want more information about Phoenix & Consolidated glass please visit our web site where you can learn about our club, its quarterly newsletter and our annual convention. Visit and like our Facebook Group page Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 36. STILL AWAKE? Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
- 37. QUESTIONS? Visit our website http://www.pcgcc.org/
Editor's Notes
- Presented by Jack D. Wilson at the banquet of the Phoenix & Consolidated Glass Collectors Club at their 21st annual convention on July 27, 2013. Location was the Embassy Suites, Pittsburgh Airport in Coraopolis, PA. All contents Copyright Jack D. Wilson – All Rights Reserved.
- I am Jack D. Wilson. I am the author of Phoenix & Consolidated Art Glass 1926-1980 published in 1989 (and out of print since 1999). It was the seminal reference book on this type of art glass. I was an advisor for Schroeder’s Antique Price Guide for ten years on both the Phoenix and Consolidated Glass categories. I was also instrumental in the founding of the Phoenix & Consolidated Glass Collectors’ Club, which celebrated it 21st annual convention in 2013.
- Review of the historical origins of silver overlay on glass.This is an electroplating process, first developed by Oscar Pierre Erard in England in 1889. His process was used on clear glass, but the silver attached to the glass turned black, a major problem.An improved process which solved the “blackening” problem was developed by John H. Scharling from New Jersey in 1893From 1895 to the late 1920’s, silver overlay glass was produced in large quantities by the Czechs, Italians. French, English, Austrians (Loetz) and Americans. Silver overlay was also used on art pottery, a prime example is Rookwood Pottery.
- Review of Gorham & Alvin in the United States and discussion of “silver overlay” versus “silver deposit.”
- Picture of a green bowl with fancy silver overlay with the old Alvin Mfg. mark, circa 1886-1890.
- Original trade journal advertisements are a key research tool. This ad is from the January 24, 2006 issue of Jewelers Circular Weekly and is courtesy of The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia.
- Loetz in Austria produced many vases with silver overlay in the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Austrian Art Glass. Circa 1900-1910.Blue Papillion (also known as "oil spot") iridescence on a transparent greenglass ground. Expertly overlaid and carved Sterling Silver décor of Art Nouveau stylized scrolls and foliage.
- This is an example of high quality heavy silver overlay that was done in Mexico. The base is hallmarked Sterling Hecho en Mexico (made in Mexico) 925
- The “Rocket” vase can be found with a variety of silver decorations. This October 30, 1930 ad shows Lotus Glass Company’s “Call of the Wild” decoration.
- The Rockwell Silver Company of Meriden Connecticut bought glass blanks from many glass manufacturers and added silver overlay. Their pieces carried a paper label or an acid stamp.
- Rockwell Silver Company acid stamp on the bottom of the ashtray.
- On the left, 8” tall Cambridge Hunt Scene vase with Rockwell silver overlay.On the right, 10” water jug vase with silver overlay, not marked but suspected to be Rockwell.
- Dugan produced their version of Consolidated Glass Company’s Catalonian. It was called “Barcelona” produced starting in 1927 and it is the only one made in back glass. Here is an example with silver overlay.
- This sterling overlay was done by the National Silver Deposit Ware Co. Inc. of New York, NY. They were in business from 1918-1950 (so these Consolidated silver overlay pieces must have been made just before they ceased operations). They used several Consolidated Con-Cora blanks for their silver overlay work. You will find the word “Sterling” on the bottom of the design on the stem of a flower. The glass in these blanks is a white “white” rather than the fiery opal associated with the best Consolidated milk glass. One of these was sold in 2005 with a National Silver Deposit Ware Co. label.
- This is the medium size #4021 Consolidated Glass Company Con-Cora ginger jar with a silver overlay done by the National Silver Deposit Ware Company of New York, NY. It was part of a ginger jar display by Ruth Ann & Angela at the 2011 club convention. It was purchased that year in a room at the convention.
- Consolidated Con-Cora#4014 vase on the left and 4” x 10” cylinder vase on the right.
- I first saw this when I lived in Chicago and tried to buy it at no avail. The silver overlay is done on alternating panels of the Ruba Rombic whiskey decanter and its stopper and the effect is quite striking.
- Kopp Modernistic vases can also be found with silver overlay, similar to what was done on Ruba Rombic. Example are very hard to find.
- I own the three vases on the right, but not the silver overlay example on the left. So when you find one, give me a call first.
- Consolidated Florentine line vase in green with silver overlay.
- Florentine shape 2200 in the rare coffee (brown) color with silver overlay. Extremely rare.
- Regent cased aqua blue #4014 vase with silver overlay.
- Another Consolidated Regent cased aqua blue vase with a different silver overlay decoration.
- Small ginger jar, 7.5” high, shape #4020 in aqua blue cased with silver decoration. Sold at 2012 Member’s Only Convention Auction for $375.00. Had original Rockwell Silver Company label and a label; from Ovington's New York.
- Medium ginger jar, 9.5” high, shape #4021 in aqua blue cased with very attractive water lily silver decoration.
- Regent cased aqua blue 10” high by 4” diameter cylinder vase with Lilies and Butterfly silver overlay.
- An array of Regent aqua blue cased silver overlay to show the diversity of design techniques.
- Small (4020) and medium (4021) ginger jars in red glass with intricate silver overlay.
- Some silver overlay pieces tarnish and some do not. This explains why.
- The height of silver overlay popularity was reached in the late 1920’s. Silver overlay went out of fashion by 1935, a casualty of the Great Depression (silver deposit work continued until at least 1950).
- Silver decoration seen on some Con-Cora was done by National Silver Deposit Ware Co. Inc. of New York, NY which closed in 1950.
- Economics and the rising price of silver lead to less and less silver being used and the movement from thick silver overlays to thin silver deposits.
- Sources of Information
- That is the end of the formal presentation, are you still awake?
- Questions?