Collecting Cobalt Blue Glass
Are you a collector of things? What things do you collect?
I wouldn’t classify myself as a dedicated collector by any means. I've always found more joy in tastefully accessorizing my living space rather than overwhelming it with an excess of items. And I most definitely do not like “chotskis”. You know the ones, the inexpensive trinkets or “decorative” items found at a garage sale. Yeah, not a fan! LOL That being said, I do have a soft spot for certain collections. One of my passions lies in gathering old maps of various kinds - be it nautical charts, city layouts, or maps of countries. The intricate details and historical significance they hold never fail to fascinate me.
On the other hand, another cherished collection of mine consists of cobalt blue glass pieces. The rich hue of blue has always resonated with me, it’s my favorite color, and since my teenage years, I've been drawn to these beautiful pieces from the Depression era.
A little history of cobalt glass. Blue-colored glassware has existed since 2000 BC, with the earliest pieces having originated in Mesopotamia. Pieces were made for personal adornment, inlaid in furniture, and even formed into figurines. Making glass blue is done by mixing cobalt oxide with quartz, potassium carbonate, or copper oxide. It's kind of cool, considering how long ago people figured it out!
So fast-forward to modern times. Blue glass, cobalt, and lighter blue, are a couple of the colors of Depression-era glass made in the early 20th century, along with pink, green, red, amber, and clear. Pink and green usually get all the glory, but I think blue is where it’s at!
As with the other colors, cobalt blue was produced as glasses, plates, candle holders, salt and pepper shakers, pitchers, bowls and the list goes on! The two most popular patterns that were made are Royal Lace and Moderntone. These patterns were made by the Hazel Atlas Glass Company, Wheeling, WV between 1934 and 1941. Pieces were made by Anchor Hocking as well which began glass production in 1905 in Lancaster, Ohio.
Royal Lace is more flowery and “pretty” while Modertone has more of an Art Deco style, more geometric, with simple lines and chevrons. This is the main pattern I have collected over the years. It is also more difficult to find, and the cost is far from its original five-and-dime store prices.
The Hazel Atlas company produced these milk/creamer pitchers with a cool chevron pattern. I have several of these and am glad I purchased them years ago. The larger ones go for over $20, but you can also find them on eBay for a bit cheaper.
They also produced the above pitcher. This unique gem has a fine rib pattern, a tilted shape, and an ice lip. One of my favorites!
Little salt and pepper shakers and larger ribbed ones.
Kind of a funky angle, LOL, but I do love this collection!
That rich color!
The cup and saucer are Moderntone, The smaller bowl is from the Aurora collection as well as the larger plate ( I think!). The large bowl is the cris cross pattern.
Whether it's old maps, glassware, or any other item, collecting can be a deeply personal and rewarding pursuit. It allows us to connect with the past, appreciate craftsmanship, and infuse our spaces with character and charm. So, are you a collector? What do you like to collect? Share your passion and let your treasures tell their stories.
Check out these great resources for more info!
