Pressed Glass

Watch Dr. Lori show you how to tell if you have pressed glass.

by Dr. Lori Verderame

American pressed glass was introduced in the 1820s. Pressed glass was glassware for the masses. It was inexpensive to produce and was used for domestic, utilitarian items. Glass pressing machines were used to make a variety of patterns of pressed glassware.

How to Identify

The tell-tale sign of pressed glass is the seam where the glass was pressed together. A mark on the glass such as an impressed mark, lozenge, diamond, trade or maker’s marks, or registration number can tell you the date that your piece of glass was made. Colored glass that is pressed can be of significant value however soda lime or flint glass typically isn’t all that valuable. Avoid glassware with chips, cracks, or abrasions.

If your pressed glass piece is a bottle, learn how to tell how old your bottle is here.

Famous makers

The Boston and Sandwich Glass Works located in Sandwich, MA on Cape Cod was one of the most famous early American pressed glassware factories. Pressed glass from the Boston and Sandwich Glass Works feature various decorative patterns and bring high prices at auction and from collectors.

Get an online appraisal of your pressed glass piece from Dr. Lori.

Dr. Lori also discusses cut glass pieces.