Antique Victorian late 19th or early 20th century cranberry glass bon bon dish

Antique Victorian late 19th or early 20th century cranberry glass bon bon dish. This very pretty and decorative dish or bowl was probably for bon bons ( sweets) or maybe a dressing table jar etc.

-

It is in amazing condition ( some minor age related wear), no chips, cracks etc lovely pontil mark to base shows it's hand made and blown.

-

11 cm round

7 cm tall

-

We have sold cranberry glass damaged for more money so this is priced competitively.

-

Cranberry glass, also known as "gold ruby" glass, emerged in Bohemia in the 17th century after glassmakers rediscovered the secret of adding a pinch of gold chloride to molten glass, a technique that may have originated in the Roman Empire. Its popularity surged during the Victorian era, and it has remained in production, with major companies like Fenton and Pilgrim Glass producing it until recently. The glass is difficult to make, as a slight error can "muddy" the color, and its distinct ruby-red hue ranges from pink to burgundy depending on the amount of gold used.

History and origin

Ancient origins: Evidence suggests early forms of this glass were made in the Roman Empire, such as the 4th-century Lycurgus Cup.

Rediscovery in Europe: The craft was lost and then rediscovered in Bohemia around the 17th century.

Italian glassmaker Antonio Neri added gold to molten glass in 1612 to create a vibrant red glass.

The "recipe" was also rediscovered in Bohemian glassmaking around the 1600s.

Victorian popularity: Cranberry glass gained immense popularity during the Victorian era, fitting well with the era's heavy upholstery and dark wood decor.

Manufacturing process

Adding gold: The characteristic color comes from adding gold chloride to molten glass.

Color variation: The final color depends on the amount of gold used; more gold creates a richer, darker red.

Difficulty: It is notoriously difficult to produce, as even a small mistake can ruin a batch, resulting in a muddy color instead of a vibrant red.

Notable manufacturers

Fenton Art Glass: Founded in 1905, Fenton was renowned for its cranberry glass, particularly with patterns like hobnail and coin dot. The company closed in 2011.

Pilgrim Glass: This U.S. company produced cranberry glass until it closed in 2001.

Modern relevance

While major companies have closed, cranberry glass is still being produced by smaller craft-style manufacturers.

It remains a popular collectible, with both antique and modern pieces available.

The Lure of Cranberry Glass Antiques

It is believed the creation of cranberry glass dates back to around the 1600s, though some speculate that it actually dates back to ancient times