Pretzels With Your “Milk (Glass)” Beer Stein?

 Some of the History and Origin of Milk Glass:

   

Dated 1769 – These pear shaped jugs are very hard to acquire.

The beginnings of Milk Glass originated in Venice (Italy) in the 16th century. However, back then milk glass came in all different colors including yellow, brown, black, pink and blue. All of these colors still project a ‘milky’ color as the tone is thick and coated. Some of these colors still exist in milk glass, especially blue, but the opaque color remains the most popular. 19th-century glass makers called milky white opaque glass “opal glass”. The white color is achieved through the addition of an opacifier, e.g. tin dioxide or bone ash.

One liter, 9 inches tall. Circa 1680 – 1720. This photo shows how light can be seen through the milk glass. [All photos comp of Judy Stuart]

 An excellent photo showing how the base was made and the “pontil mark.” .

     

Details – Bottom handle attachment and pewter lid with flared shell thumblift.

A very nicely displayed collection of “Milk Glass” beer steins. This could be years in the making and will be quite expensive while doing it. (Judith Stuart)

 The first three are “Milk Glass,” the others are Fayence. (Judith Stuart)

Since the 16th century, milk glass has remained a popular collector’s item as well as a useful item around the house. However, most of the collectable milk glass of today dates back to the 1700’s or newer.

Although milk glass came from the 1500’s, the term ‘milk glass’ did not actually come into play until relatively recently. During the 19th century glass makers referred to milk glass as ‘opaque glass’ and was still considered a luxury item and a great collectable. Milk glass became very popular during the end of the 19th century in France, Germany and Bohemia.

           

Above and below: Some newer additions to the Judy Stuart collection of outstanding  milk glass steins. [With details of each.]

     

  

  

Photos of two of Judy Stuart’s newest “Milk Glass” beer stein acquisitions. Shown above: A very  interesting and different scene of a dead red fox. It must have had sone special significance to its owner “A. S.”.

During the early 20th century, also known as the American Gilded Age, milk glass was synonymous with the cultural prosperity of the wealthy American culture. Milk glass made in the Gilded Age still remains some of the best ever made. It is known for the delicacy and elegance and were often seen on dressers and shelf tops in upper-class American homes.

Note: All of the steins below without credits are photos provided by The Stein Auction Company = TSACO

Bohemia and Silesia were the two  countries responsible for making the most “German’ Milk Glass beer steins.

  BOHEMIA IN PINK, SILESIA IN ORANGE, MORAVIA IN YELLOW.

EARLY WARE  MILK GLASS –

1.0L, blown, Circa1750 -80 enameled, no lid. I think she is holding a wine glass which has “no right side down” (as in a stirrup cup.)

.4L, blown, enameled, Chinese Man with pipe, original pewter lid dated 1792.

6 3/4 inches tall – An European man with his colonial period, holding his trifol hat.

HUGS AND KISSES

This  one liter, late 1700’s stein is close to being the prototype for the SCI Convention stein in Pennsylvania in 19?? [JS]

OUTDOORS SCENES = Typical outdoor patterns.

A  1 liter “set-on-lid” milk glass stein. I think Circa 1820 – 40. [WP / eBay]

.5L, blown, Early 1800’s, enameled, man & woman. The verse painted in gold is worn.

.5L  Early 1800s, enameled, “A Vice Presidential hunting accident!” Quite obviously from the same firm / artist as the one just above.

1.0L, 10. ht., blown, late 1700s to early 1800s, enameled. Unusual scene of a man holding a head (theatrical?)

 Applied pink-orange stain, applied enameled dots and hand painted. A very pretty example. Circa 1840.[JS]

  

[L]  .5L, blown., enameled, man & dog,    [R] 1.0L, blown, early 1800s, milk glass, enameled, hunter, dog & stag,

 CA 1820-30, 8.5 inch. Running dog and florals. [SA]

SALUTATIONS:

 

Both 1.0L  blown, milk glass c.1850, enameled [L] Zum Andenken and {R]  “Andenken,” 

Roses, with other  florals as shown on the three steins above were very popular gifts.

SALUTATIONS / VERSE

.5 Liter   Ca. 1830 -40. [FWTD]

5L,  blue milk glass, enameled, “Zum Andenken,” (In Memory), Ca. 1840. A great pewter “high top” li,  and it comes with the thumblift of the two doves kissing which always indicated love / admiration.

JUST FLORALS

.25L, enameled, briefly floral. This small of a size in Milk Glass is unusual.

 .5L,  enameled, flowers, this one has an old replaced pewter lid. Ca.1820.

      

More florals , blown, early 1800s, enameled. Very likely the same artist / workshop.

 FLORAL – 1.0L  enameled, floral design, lid dated 1810, 

FLASK – Glass bottle, 6.0  ht., blown,  early 1800s, hand enameled, flowers & bird, pewter screw top.

 Sometime confused with the old  German /Bohemian milk glass is “Old (antique) Bristol Glass” a semiopaque glass of various color tones, notably deep blue, used for decorative glassware and commonly painted with floral and Chinoiserie designs.

Bristol, England, glasshouses were established in the 1740s. They specialized in decanters, goblets and vases, usually in a cobalt-like blue color decorated with gilding or in opaque white with painted flowers.

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 “Old Bristol” Glass Beer Mug Stein, English, “Chinoiserie.” Circa 1850. These steins are easily thought to be German due to the fayence type decorations, palm trees, etc., and the painted horizontal slashes on the handles.

 Old Bristol Glass beer stein, .5L, blown, c.1850, milk glass, enameled, pewter lid most likely replaced. Same scene but  small differences, mostly coloration.

[END – SOK – RD – 51 -DD]

   “Cows without legs are ground beef.”