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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Green Depression and Other Glassware

Last month (October 7) I wrote about my small collection of pink depression glass and said I would show the little bit of green I have, someday. Today is the day. I have not had as good luck finding the pattern names of the green as I did my pink. In fact, I had no luck at all. So here is what I know about what I have. The two square containers on the left and right rear are "refrigerator dishes". Before Tupperware and other plastic storage containers, covered glass squares and rectangles in various sizes, colors and patterns were used to store leftovers in the fridge. My small one still has its lid.
The larger glass at the back is one of three that were in the top of Grandma Ridnour's cupboard when we cleaned it out after she died. Mom took two and I had one. I bought the two matching juice glasses a few years later. I call this design "Dimple", but I'm not sure that's right.
The water carafe, powder or candy dish (lower left) and the juicer were also collected along the way - garage sales or auctions. I use the juicer on a regular basis. The tiny individual nut cup (?) on the lower right I bought at an antique shop along Hwy 169 near Fort Dodge. There was a sign for "Farmhouse Antiques" so we stopped. The woman had a basement full of collectibles. I remember paying $2.00 for this.

These are three green miscellaneous pieces which I wouldn't call depression glass. The three legged jar has the "Greek Key" design around the top and may have been part of a dresser set or a flower frog with missing top. (I have two slightly larger, black amethyst, flower frogs without tops in this same design.) The vintage vase once had painted yellow flowers which have mostly rubbed off. I use this every spring to hold daffodils or yellow tulips. The little green vase in front is perfect for a small bouquet of violets.
The grey-green tea cup on the right I found while antiquing with Kari in Portland, OR. I was so amazed to find it for $2.00 because I had bought a teapot and four slightly larger tea cups in the same design at Teavana as a Christmas present for Mark and Sarah. The set cost between $80 and $90 if I remember correctly.
The cups of the Somayaki pottery have double walls - the inner wall can be seen through the cut outs (which look like hearts) around the outer shell at the bottom. This design keeps the tea warm while the outer surface stays cool. The distinctive crackle glaze is known as Aohibi.
Ohbori Somayaki pottery was established in Fukushima, Northern Japan in 1690 during the Edo period. One of the most recognizable characteristics of Somayaki is its Hashirigoma (galloping horse) motif. Bowls, cups, teapots and Saki sets are still available in this pattern.

It is strange that I only have five pieces of amber depression glass since amber/topaz/yellow is my favourite color. The sugar bowl in back probably isn't depression glass; I bought it because I love the art deco design. The sherbet dish on the right is a lone garage sale find.
The child's creamer, sugar bowl and butter dish in front is very precious to me - it belonged to my Mother when she was a girl. I don't know if she had more pieces or not. These survived except for the sugar bowl lid. I was still living in WDM when one year Mom asked what I'd like for my birthday. I asked for these pieces from her childhood and she gave them to me.
I always thought they should be mine because of their color - Topaz is my birthstone. Sometime in the future I will pass them on to one or both of the grand-daughters who also have the topaz as their birthstone.

3 comments:

  1. Your green water carafe is Block Optic from Hocking Glass. The green tumblers look like hex optic.

    Nice glass and I am so glad to see that you enjoy having it.

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  2. So, by that logic, your green glass is going to your emerald-birthstone daughters(-in-law)? Goody!! :-)

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  3. I have the green greek key, three-legged jar that has a lid. I have not been able to find another with a lid on the net--Only the type with the flower frog.

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