Blenko Hand Blown Glass Dinner Plates 3 Available

Big dinner plates hand-made exactly as they were made in 17th Century Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.A.  They measure approximately 11 3/4" round.  The size varies slightly because they were hand-formed.

In the early 1920s, Williamsburg historians recreated the 'Williamsburg Colony' in the city as a tourist attraction.  They outfitted the colony with exact reproductions of items used by the early American settlers.  Blenko glass recieved the first glassware contract, and later the contract was given to Leerdam, a Dutch glassmaker. 

It is said that the designers of Williamsburg Colony accepted only perfect versions of early American glass according to some very strict standards.  Plates that did not match the requirements were rejected.  Since Blenko did not offer their Williamsburg plates to the public, these plates may be rejects from the colony project.  Blenko did make Williamsburg plates on special order, and probably sold the plates that didn't make the Williamsburg standard in their shop.  The Blenko amethyst plates in image 7 below were made for a wedding.

Image 8 is of an actual 3rd century CE Roman glass plate (image found in public domain on Wikipedia).  Evidently the 17th century American settlers made their plates just like the Romans did. The Roman plate shown below is oxidized from age.

The plates have no chips or cracks.  They are in original condition.  The rim is folded under.  The pontil marks have been ground rough, and the glass is peppered with trapped bubbles and furnace inclusions, just like you'd see in early American glass...and Roman glass too.  

Blenko collectors know that much of Blenko's 'colorless' glass has a very light tint of blue, especially when viewed under bright light. I believe these plates were supposed to be colorless.  One plate shows a strong stain of blue in the center, one has less blue, and the third has just a tinge of blue.  This is probably why they were rejected by the Colony folks.

THREE available!  Selling separately.  Enter your desired quantity after clicking the 'add to cart' button above.