Unknown antique milkglass vanity set
19 October 2019
Description

3 pc vanity set. Vanity tray measures 11 1/2 inches x 9. Rectangle box measures 4 1/2 inches x 2 3/4 inches, height is 2 inches. The other box measures 4 1/1 x 4, height is 2 inches. The tray has an "R" mark on the bottom. The rectangle box has a "9" mark inside lid. The other box has a mark of an S inside a diamond. Color is white but has a slight green tint. I can not identify this maker by these marks despite a vigorous pursuit.

Provenance

Inherited from a friends who was in his 90s. I believe the pieces to be very old and possibly foreign.

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Maybe
Answered within 1 day
By Delia
Oct 20, 23:23 UTC
Fair Market Value
$75 - $100 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Dear Nicholas,

Thank you so much for your patience; I have finally heard back from my contact, who has worked with the Corning Glass Museum and the Museum of American Glass but who's personal passion is milk glass made around the world. He said he has never seen these marks either but confirms that they are European, circa 1900. It is almost certainly an assembled vanity set based on the varying marks. The greenish tint would be a factor of the ingredients in the glass - iron oxide and chromium are two chemicals that can give glass a greenish tinge.

Sadly, the market for milk glass is not very strong at the moment unless one has very rare studio art pieces by famous makers. Based on the photographs and information provided, and subject to examination, you have:

An assembled Continental milk glass vanity set
circa 1900, various makers marks
comprising:
a shaped tray (11 1/2 inches x 9), with "R" mark on the bottom.
a rectangular covered box (2 inches high, 4 1/2 by 2 3/4 inches), with mark "9" inside lid.
a shaped covered box (2 inches high, 4 1/2(?) by 4 inches), with a diamond "S" mark inside.
PROVENANCE: Inherited from a friend
$75-100 (represents a fair market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary).

I am sorry the maker of these pieces remains elusive but that is often the nature of the antiques business. Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you for using Mearto.

Nicholas hall Oct 21, 19:58 UTC

The wait is fine. I had an antique expert tell me she thought it was made between 1850-1890 and could possibly made in Venice or Germany ? Also I Would only the odd shaped box has the green tint. Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.

Nicholas hall Oct 25, 21:55 UTC

Have you had any luck with your inquiry ?

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