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Category: Glass Research

Beautiful mantel vases Victorian era hand blown glass
Tall blown amber glass vases from the Victorian era.

Glass research encompasses a wide range of subjects.  The history of glass and the decorative arts eras, the regional aspects of glass making, the creation of glass, types of glass and decor, glass artists and craftsmen, and the glass companies of the past are all subjects of interest to the glass collector.

Glass collecting is a fascinating hobby with ample opportunities to research.  Antique, vintage and most retro glass is authentic silicate glass (made until approximately 1980). Collectible glass was made before the days of modern polymer based glass.

Old glass is organic and was energy intensive to produce. New glass, made with polymers replacing costly metals, melts at a much lower temperature. Most modern glass not true glass, it is a man made glass-like material. This fact is one of the major reasons why it’s so important to collect, document and preserve glass from the past. The days of producing authentic glass made of metals, natural pigments, sand and minerals are over.

Below are a few of our favorite glass research articles and websites. Researching old glass on the internet is a great way to get started.

Glass Producing Regions and Makers Corning Museum of Glass Research
Glass Composition and Types The Method of Glass Blowing
Techniques in Art Glass Glass Dictionary
Glass Articles by Corning The Murano Zoo
Do you have questions about your glass?
  1. We’ve developed an easy and free method to get feedback about your glass from the Retro Art Glass staff on our Facebook page.
  2. Go to the Retro Art Glass Facebook page.
    Important: Click the Retro Art Glass Facebook page ‘Like’ button.
  3. Click on Message (next to the Like button)
  4. Post images of the glass object your are curious about.  Be sure to add additional information if you have it.
  5. Within 48 hours we’ll let you know what we know!
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