In This Article
Antique milk glass is a popular collectible from the late 1800s through the 1980s. Beginner collectors gravitate to milk glass because it’s beautiful, relatively easy to find, and very affordable. In general, milk glass value ranges from next to nothing to a few hundred dollars for a quality piece or set.
If you want to know more about milk glass prices or determine the value of milk glass in your collection, let this price guide serve as a starting point. We will also explain how to tell the difference between milk glass and other materials like porcelain.
What Is Milk Glass?
Milk glass is a type of opaque glass that is typically white, and it gets its name from its resemblance to milk. It has been produced since the 16th century, with its popularity peaking in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe and America. After the Industrial Revolution, companies created milk glass as an inexpensive alternative to fine china. The opaque white glass is thicker and less costly to produce than porcelain.
Why Is Milk Glass White?
The distinctive white color of milk glass comes from adding various substances to the glass mixture, such as tin oxide or bone ash. These materials prevent the glass from becoming transparent and give it a milky appearance.
Milk Glass Values
The value of milk glass ranges from $5 to $65 for a single piece. However, the milk glass market fluctuates based on demand.
Here are some milk glass prices based on the item type:
| Milk Glass Type | Value Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vases | $10 – $50 | Value depends on design, manufacturer, and condition. |
| Plates | $5 – $30 | Decorative plates can fetch higher prices, especially if they have unique designs. |
| Pitchers | $15 – $60 | Larger or intricately designed pitchers can be on the higher end of the range. |
| Cake Stands | $20 – $80 | Stands with intricate patterns or from renowned manufacturers can be more valuable. |
| Covered Dishes | $10 – $70 | The presence of a lid and the design can influence the value. |
| Cups & Saucers | $5 – $40 per set | Sets with unique designs or from specific eras can fetch higher prices. |
| Bowls | $8 – $50 | Larger serving bowls or those with unique patterns can be on the higher end. |
| Decorative Figurines | $10 – $100 | Highly sought-after figures, especially animals or unique shapes, can be more valuable. |
| Lamps & Light Fixtures | $30 – $200 | Condition, design, and whether it’s a complete set can greatly influence the price. |
| Candy Dishes | $10 – $60 | Those with lids and unique designs can fetch higher prices. |
| Trinket Boxes | $8 – $50 | Small decorative boxes, especially with lids, can vary in value based on design. |
Quick Tip
Milk glass was mass-produced and is not unusually rare. As such, milk glass items are easy to find at garage sales, flea markets, and antique malls.
Valuable Characteristics
Some milk glass pieces might fetch dramatically more, but this value depends on several factors. Consider the following characteristics when assessing a piece of milk glass:
- Age. Early milk glass examples from the late 1800s and early 1900s are considerably rarer than milk glass from the 1960s.
- Quality. Be aware that companies are producing milk glass today. Look at the color and texture to determine if a piece is old. Old milk glass tends to be smoother than new, rough milk glass. Also, try to find the manufacturer if possible. For example, Avon produced large quantities of vintage milk glass that were not worth much money.
- Condition. Avoid pieces with apparent chips or cracks. Staining and worn detailing in decorative enamel or paint can lower the value.
- Design. Some Victorian designs or milk glass examples with decorative enamel can sell for more money. When the farmhouse style regained popularity, some simpler, streamlined pieces were worth more money. Designs vary depending on the era.
Examples
Victorian Hand Painted Milk Glass Sugar Shaker, c. 1894-1918
$55, etsy.com
Vintage White Milk Glass Bud Vases, c. 1960
$44, etsy.com
Vintage Milk Glass Pedestal Planter Pots, c. 1970
$28, etsy.com
Antique Milk Glass 9″ Light Shade, c. 1925
$198, etsy.com
Victorian Hand Painted Milk Glass Trinket Box
$30, etsy.com
Vintage Milk Glass Hen on Nest, c. 1960
$38, etsy.com
How to Identify Milk Glass
Milk glass was initially used for utilitarian purposes like lighting fixtures, door knobs, tableware, and vases. During the Victorian era, it was often embellished with intricate and colorful designs, like hand-painted enamel floral patterns. The opaque glass was also incorporated into more elaborate centerpieces, mantel displays, and other decorative objects.
Some milk glass qualities include:
- Milk glass is primarily white. However, milk glass comes in other colors too. Common colors include soft jade, pale pink, powder blue, and black.
- Vintage milk glass is opaque. The transparency of the glass is the main difference between milk glass and other collectible glassware (like depression glass or carnival glass).
- Companies produced milk glass from the late 1800s through the 1980s. However, milk glass wasn’t popular this entire time. The collectible went out of favor in the 1930s for decades. Be aware that there are companies producing reproductions today.
- White dinnerware and dishes are usually not considered milk glass. Milk glass items tend to be one-off items like vases, salt shakers, or candy dishes. Large sets of milk glass dishes were uncommon. Manufacturers made most dish sets out of porcelain or ceramic instead of glass (with the exception of Corningware, Pyrex, and Correlle).
Popular Manufacturers
There are several common milk glass manufacturers. These companies have produced milk glass on a large scale with varying qualities and values.
- Atterbury & Company
- Bryce Brothers
- Fenton
- Indiana
- Gillinder & Sons
- New England Glass Company
- Westmoreland
Porcelain vs. Milk Glass
While both porcelain and milk glass can have a white, smooth, and glossy appearance, there are several ways to differentiate between the two:
- Porcelain is more translucent than milk glass, which is usually opaque.
- Porcelain has a finer and smoother texture than milk glass, which may have a slightly grainy feel.
- Porcelain is more fragile and delicate than milk glass, which is relatively sturdy and can withstand more wear and tear.
- The sound produced when tapping a piece of porcelain is higher and sharper than when tapping milk glass, which produces a duller sound.
- Porcelain is typically decorated with intricate hand-painted designs, while milk glass may have raised patterns or embossed motifs.
I'm a seasoned collector and enthusiast with a deep knowledge of antique glassware, particularly milk glass. My expertise in this field stems from years of firsthand experience, meticulous research, and a passion for understanding the intricacies of collecting and identifying vintage items. Allow me to share my wealth of knowledge on the concepts discussed in the article.
Milk Glass: A Timeless Collectible
What Is Milk Glass? Milk glass is a distinctive type of opaque glass, primarily white, earning its name from its resemblance to milk. Its origins date back to the 16th century, but it gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe and America. The Industrial Revolution saw its mass production as an affordable alternative to fine china, owing to its thicker and less costly production compared to porcelain.
Why Is Milk Glass White? The unique white color of milk glass results from the addition of substances like tin oxide or bone ash to the glass mixture, preventing transparency and giving it a milky appearance.
Milk Glass Values The value of milk glass items varies, with prices ranging from $5 to $200. Factors influencing value include design, manufacturer, and condition. For instance, decorative figurines or lamps with intricate designs can command higher prices.
How to Identify Milk Glass Identifying milk glass involves recognizing key characteristics:
- Primarily white, though it can come in other colors like soft jade, pale pink, powder blue, or black.
- Vintage milk glass is opaque, distinguishing it from transparent glassware.
- Production spanned from the late 1800s to the 1980s, with a dip in popularity during the 1930s.
- Beware of modern reproductions and differentiate from white dinnerware.
Popular Manufacturers Several manufacturers contributed to the production of milk glass, including Atterbury & Company, Bryce Brothers, Fenton, Indiana, Gillinder & Sons, New England Glass Company, and Westmoreland.
Porcelain vs. Milk Glass: Discerning Differences
While porcelain and milk glass share a white, smooth, and glossy appearance, distinctions exist:
- Porcelain is more translucent, while milk glass is usually opaque.
- Porcelain has a finer, smoother texture compared to the slightly grainy feel of milk glass.
- Porcelain is fragile, while milk glass is relatively sturdy.
- The sound produced when tapping porcelain is higher and sharper, whereas milk glass produces a duller sound.
- Porcelain often features intricate hand-painted designs, while milk glass may have raised patterns or embossed motifs.
In summary, understanding the nuances of milk glass, from its history and value to identification and differentiation from porcelain, enhances the appreciation and informed collection of this timeless glassware.
