How do you clean cloudy vases safely?

Don't put them in a dishwasher. The harsh chemicals and heat changes will cause permanent surface damage. Wash the piece by hand using lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Use a soft brush to reach into the deep moulded crevices. Dry the glass immediately with a lint-free cloth to prevent hard water spots from forming.

Are the coloured glass pieces painted?

Sometimes a wash of enamel stain fills the recesses. This sits on the surface to highlight the moulded relief. True coloured glass relies on metallic oxides mixed into the molten batch. The colour runs all the way through the material.

I inherited a large frosted glass bowl with birds on it and I am wondering how to display it without risking damage?

Keep heavy bowls away from the edges of shelves. They are prone to being knocked, and the thick glass will chip if it hits a hard surface. Lighting makes a large difference to frosted and opalescent glass. You'll want to place the bowl where natural light can hit it from behind. Setting it on a dedicated light box is another good option to highlight the relief work.

We found a small glass perfume bottle buried in the garden of our old house and want to know how the stopper is supposed to fit?

Most original stoppers were ground by hand to fit the specific neck of their matching bottle. They should drop in smoothly and seat firmly without wobbling. Don't force a tight stopper into the neck. Temperature changes cause the glass to expand slightly, which often results in the neck cracking if the stopper is wedged in too hard.

Home > Glass > Lalique Glass > Page 7

Antique Lalique Glass

← Page 7 of 7 →

These frosted or opalescent pressed glass items, spanning everything from heavy vases to illuminated car mascots, were produced in early twentieth-century France to provide bold domestic decorative art.