The retro trend in home decorating has sparked increased interest in vintage and collectible glassware. Vintage glass tableware, ashtrays, vases, and other utility glassware of the mid-1900s add authentic retro appeal and warmth to a homes’ period decor.

Glass has been around since the beginning of time; the extreme temperatures of volcanic eruptions created obsidian, and lightning striking sand created tubular fulgurites (also called petrified lightning). Ancient man chipped naturally-formed glass into useful objects like knives and arrowheads, and beautiful, decorative objects and jewelry.

When man began to manufacture glass is uncertain, but it was a long, expensive, and difficult process and the earliest glassware was reserved for the wealthiest citizens.

Experimenting over the centuries, man found he could create glass in almost any color or shape he desired, and chemical formulas were closely guarded secrets. When the glass-making process was simplified by machinery in the 19th century and mass production became possible, beautiful, colorful and affordable glassware began to grace even the poorest homes.

At the turn of the 20th century, carnivals began to give inexpensive and mass-produced glassware as prizes. Glassware with an irridescent finish was a popular prize, and is still known as carnival glass. Fine art glass manufacturers, including Fostoria and Fenton, have continued to produce new, high-quality carnival glass over the decades as the demand for it grows and wanes.

During the depression era of the 1930's, colorful everyday glassware was often given as a premium by car washes, movie houses, and other businesses to encourage customers. Many housewives collected a new set of dishes, piece by piece, in boxes of flour, oatmeal, soap flakes, and other grocery products.

Through mass dime-store marketing, major glass manufacturers such as Fire-King, Jeanette Glass and Hazel-Atlas supplied homemakers with affordable dishes, bowls, beverage glasses, mugs and serving pieces to brighten up their homes.

The quality of the glass was often poor, with bubbles, stretch marks or other manufacturing defects, but the bright colors added a bit of cheer to the otherwise dreary decade.

At the turn of the 20th century, carnivals began to give inexpensive and mass-produced glassware as prizes. Glassware with an irridescent finish was a popular prize, and is still known as carnival glass. http://antiquecollection.info/carnival-glass/

During the Depression Era of the 1930's, colorful everyday glassware was often given as a premium by car washes, movie houses, and other businesses to encourage customers. Many housewives set their tables with depression glass dishes, collected piece by piece from boxes of flour, oatmeal, soap flakes and other grocery products. http://www.depression-glass-antiques.com/what-is-depression-glass.shtml

Through mass dime-store marketing, major glass manufacturers such as Fire-King, Jeanette Glass and Hazel-Atlas supplied homemakers with affordable dishes, bowls, beverage glasses, mugs and serving pieces.

Identifying authentic, antique or vintage glassware can be tricky for the beginning glass collector. Most manufacturers did not mark their earliest wares until consumers began collecting glassware and preferred marked pieces that made them easily identifiable.

Unscrupulous manufacturers began making reproductions of popular items and passing them off as authentic. Fantasy glass pieces, which were never part of the original lines, are often sold with the implication that they are "rare" finds from legitimate glass manufacturers.

Given the vast choices this versatile medium offers, the beginning collector should take care to avoid being fooled. There are many guide books and online resources to help newbies and experts alike to identify authentic glassware and learn how to spot reproductions and fakes.