What is cranberry glass?

Cranberry glass is a type of transparent glassware coloured using gold chloride during the melting process. This gives the material its signature pink-to-red tone. Artisans shaped the hot metal into tableware, vases and decorative objects throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

How do I identify Mary Gregory glass?

Mary Gregory pieces feature hand-painted white enamel decoration depicting children, birds or foliage. The enamel work sits directly on the surface of the coloured glass. These items were produced extensively in the nineteenth century as small vases, jars and jugs.

Were these items used daily?

Many pieces served practical functions at the dining table, including wine glasses, decanters, jugs and preserve bowls. Sets of stemware accommodated formal entertaining. Other items, such as epergnes and jack-in-the-pulpit vases, remained purely decorative ornaments for mantelpieces and sideboards.

How should I clean antique glass?

Wash items gently by hand using warm water and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals that might damage enamel details or gilded surfaces. Dry the pieces thoroughly with a soft lint-free cloth to maintain the clarity of the material.

An epergne is a large ornamental centrepiece featuring a central trumpet vase surrounded by smaller hanging baskets or arms. They stood on dining tables to hold fruit or flowers. Victorian examples in cranberry glass often combine ruffled bowls and matching lily vases.