Author Topic: Vintage Obscure Glass  (Read 1801 times)

emilypate

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Vintage Obscure Glass
« on: May 28, 2012, 10:20:23 am »
This is a textured glass pane out of a 24 pane, 10 foot tall church window. The church was built in the late 1800's in the small town of Greenfield, TN. I have searched the internet to try to find what the style is called but I have not been successful. The edges of the glass are not straight and some edges are very jagged (as the one I have included in the pictures). Appears they were hand cut. There are small bubbles randomly throughout the glass as if it were hand blown. One side of the glass is smooth with slight waves and the other is bumpy. I appreciate any help as to figuring out the uniqueness and value of this type of glass. Thank You, Emily Pate

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Vintage Obscure Glass
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2012, 11:15:29 am »
I believe thats called "honeycomb" pattern !! This type glass was typically used for schools, churches, and libraries and such !! Some were used in homes but not as much !! I still have a few panes with the glass still in them but a different pattern !! You can still find it  !! I do not know the proceedure for making it !! But it is fairly common here in Texas and other parts of the south !!

fancypants

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1959
  • Karma: +22/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Vintage Obscure Glass
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2012, 12:17:16 pm »
It does appear to be molded glass (either horizontal or vertical produced) ... the 'smooth side of this glass usually exhibits 'roller' marks , which appear 'wavy' .

If you wish to display this glass , it's best to find the bottom of the sheet & display it accordingly (antique sheet glass will always 'flow' , since it is a liquid ... many pieces of antique sheet glass have been cracked/damaged by hanging them 'up-side-down' ) .
Although it appears that your item is rather thick glass , I'd still use a gauge to determine the top/bottom of the sheet (top will be thinner than the bottom) , in the event that you cannot tell by 'feel/touch' .
" Methinks me the 'mental' in sentimental .... "

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Vintage Obscure Glass
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2012, 01:39:08 pm »
Don`t know about this one but mine is a hair less that 1/4 in thick, there were some thinner types but most were pretty thick by todays standard !!

emilypate

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Vintage Obscure Glass
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2012, 09:56:15 pm »
I don't know if it matters but the texture is more round than honeycomb shaped. i looked at some pictures on the net under "honeycomb" glass and they seem to be much more hexagonal shaped than the markings on mine.?

fancypants

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1959
  • Karma: +22/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Vintage Obscure Glass
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2012, 10:29:20 pm »
I noticed that as well , emilypate .

Yours looks more like 'bottle' pattern than honeycomb .

The uniqueness that it has suggests that your glass was perhaps made in your area , and with some down & dirty searching (such as who constructed the church , who their suppliers were & such etc.) chances are fair for you finding the manufacturer , IMO .

The fact that the pane you've depicted in your images has been cut by a glazier/craftsperson relates to the factual probability that the glass used was purchased in sheet form & cut-to-size @ the site .
I am assuming that this glass was not installed in a window that would 'open' .... relights , large ones such as the one you've described , were popular items way back when , esp in large rooms/churches/assembly areas , ... 'Bringing the Light' into people's lives was expensive , so day-time services were pretty common .

If you've got all 24 panes & they are intact , their value would increase somewhat , but I don't think you could retire on the sale of the set ...

Plenty of design/repurposing applications for your old mat'ls , though !
" Methinks me the 'mental' in sentimental .... "