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Oct 14, 2024

Depression Glass Guide: Its Colorful History, Patterns, and Value

You're going to want to fill your cabinets. Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Anyone with an affinity

You're going to want to fill your cabinets.

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Anyone with an affinity for design can appreciate that seemingly beloved trends can disappear quickly. One such trend? Depression glass, which arrived on the American design scene almost as fast as it disappeared ahead of the Second World War. That said, the trends that made a big impact often reappear with gusto. Luckily for those who love the thick, colorful glassware that often features textured patterns, Depression glass is back, so feel free to clear off your shelf space to make room for these gorgeous pieces.

Before you shell out a few hundred dollars for these historic items, there are a few things to know. Rather than try to do Depression glass's long, storied, and complicated history justice on our own, we called in the experts: Noel Fahden, Chairish's vice president of merchandising, and Tony Freund, editorial director at 1stDibs. Both online marketplaces source and sell rather rare vintage and antique pieces that range from full-blown furniture to decorative objets d'art, so if you're planning on shopping for Depression glass, you may want to take a peek at what Chairish and 1stDibs have on offer. Otherwise, we'l sharing some useful tips for spotting Depression glass out in the wild at flea markets, estate sales, and more.

First and foremost, what is Depression glass, and why on Earth does it have such a sad name? Well, as ironic as it may sound, so many of the world's most transcendent design movements were borne out of gloomy or tragic events. After all, one of the most famous, the midcentury modern movement, was the global design community's response to the devastation of World War II. Similarly, Depression glass was the result of America's infamous Great Depression, hence its unfortunate name. "Characterized by its vibrant colors and intricate patterns, Depression glass was often given away as promotional goods during challenging economic times," Fahden explains. "Despite its modest origins, Depression glass holds significant cultural and historical importance as it symbolizes resilience and creativity amidst hardship."

Unlike much more expensive alternatives, including Murano glass, which was and still is mouth- or handblown, Depression glass was machine made and, as Fahden said, was distributed for free or at a very low cost. Because it was made by a machine, Depression glass almost always features a few air bubbles or other noticeable imperfections.

There is a never-ending fascination with history, which is why vintage and antique pieces—whether they be furniture, jewelry, or even wine—gain value as they age. The funny thing about Depression glass, however, is that it was so cheap and basically disregarded as wares only lower classes used out of necessity. Though you'll certainly find some Depression glass with a hefty price tag, most of the surviving pieces still aren't super expensive. "As these sets were always affordable, mass produced, and machine made, Depression glass is not 'valuable' in a monetary sense. That said, the tableware is often passed down as a family heirloom and can have a lot of sentimental value," Freund says. "There are, however, some patterns that are considered more valuable or 'rare' since they were produced in smaller quantities," he adds. Such pieces include Jeanette Glass Company's Adam pattern, MacBeth-Evans Glass Company's Sweetheart pattern, and Hocking Glass Company's Mayfair pattern. Your Depression glass may not be the most expensive piece on your dining table or in your china cabinet, but it will certainly radiate much more charm than your simple white dinnerware set.

The fact that so many of our dishes break, crack, or shatter when we move from home to home makes it hard to believe that so much fragile glass has survived for more than a century, but we're pleased to say that plenty of Depression-era glass has, indeed, persisted, and it's not that hard to find. That said, before you buy the first set you see, take one key element into consideration. "Depression glass was meant to be functional, not simply decorative, and that still holds true today. So purchase the pieces you will use and enjoy using. With its fun patterns and colors, Depression glass is a low-cost way to add some visual pop to your table," Freund advises.

Another factor that should play into your purchase is the glass's condition. Though it may have made it onto the shelves of a charming boutique, it may not be usable. Below, Freund offers a few useful tips for picking the best Depression glass for your collection.

Before you make your purchase, examine the pieces carefully, looking for chips and cracks in the glass. Steer away from any pieces with major damage, but bear in mind that some flaws can indicate aging and whether the item is original or a reproduction.

Check for small imperfections like seams and bubbles. They're a good thing: Reproductions don't have these "flaws."

Look for thicker glass, which points to the pieces being of more recent vintage. With some rare exceptions, Depression glass is thin and light, both to maintain its translucency and to keep the cost of manufacturing it low during a dire financial time.

Finally, check for small, thin indentations on the undersides. Original Depression glass was laid to dry on beds of straw, which caused these light blemishes.

Because Depression glass was easy and cheap to make, there were quite a few companies, both big and small, churning it out during the 1930s. According to the National Depression Glass Association, the more renowned and prolific manufacturers were Federal, Hazel-Atlas, Hocking, Indiana, Jeanette, MacBeth-Evans, and U.S. Glass. All of these companies, which are sadly now defunct, were based in the U.S.

The most fun element of Depression glass was the fact that it was often dyed in charming colors. Though any Depression glass collector worth their salt will know that it came in myriad hues, including rarer colors like aqua and ruby red, the most common shades were yellow, amber, green, blue, pink, and clear.

You can likely snag a few beautiful pieces of Depression glass anywhere you'd shop for vintage or antique furniture. Depending on where you live, you may have a few more options to explore, though. "For a larger selection of tableware, you can visit local estate sales and antique malls," Freund suggests. "Also, consider regional auction houses. For specific patterns, Replacements, Ltd. is always a reliable source." And if you're strictly an online shopper, you can't go wrong on 1stDibs or Chairish, where every single piece is authenticated. The great thing about this type of glass is the sheer variety, so unless you're looking for a specific pattern, you can shop the 100-plus options that are still on offer today.

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