Art Glass Decorated With Glass Beads

Coralene was a type of decoration on art glass. It became popular near the end of the 19th century

The process involved applying glass beads to the piece of glass following a design, using a fixative, and then firing to make the beads permanent. It was used primarily on pieces with a satin or mother-of-pearl finish.

First, the design was painted in enamel on the surface. Then the tiny glass beads - clear, colored, or opalescent - were stuck on to the enamel design. The process was applied to all types of pieces, including vases, pitchers, mugs, perfume bottles and bows.

The name coralene was first used by the Mt. Washington Glass Co. in referring to its popular pattern that looked like coral branches. The term was then generalized and applied to other patterns, among them sheaves of wheat, fleur-de-lis, geometric patterns and seaweed.

In addition to Mt. Washington, several other glasshouses in America, England and Europe produced coralene. There was also some Nippon chinaware decorated at the same time in a similar way.

The collector might also find some “look-alike” coralene. The beads have not been fired on and it often takes just a little pressure to make them flake off.

Most pieces of coralene glass are now selling for several hundred dollars.

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Many Types Of Early Valentines

The first valentine publishing firm in the United States was Elton & Company, formed in 1833. By the 1840s , mass production of valentines using the chromolithography process was providing hundreds of thousands of valentines for the marketplace.

By 1850, woodcuts, aquatints and lithographs were all being sent as valentines. The elaborately stenciled theorem painting process was used for homemade cards, as was a special type of artwork called a cobweb. The cobweb (also called a flower cage) was cut from a piece of paper in a spiral fashion, and could be lifted by a tab to reveal a hidden message inside. Handpainted designs were painted lightly over the cobweb.

Other valentines of the 1800s included tintypes, flowers made of fabric, gold cupids and the inevitable locks of hair.

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Geo. Washington Memorabilia Available, But Scarce

February now promotes the special day known as Presidents’ Day. No longer does the American public play favorites and honor George Washington on February 22 and Abraham Lincoln on February 12. However, these two still are favorites of collectors - Abraham Lincoln perhaps more so simply because there were more campaign and publicity items and gimmicks in use by the time he won the Presidency. George Washington collectors have to search a little harder.

Washington memorabilia dating from the 1700s are scarce. There was a George Washington inaugural button made. This was a real button, with a shank for attachment to clothing. It is believed that Washington actually wore a set of these on his coat for the inaugural ceremony.

The collector on a more limited budget will probably turn to paper items of the day - newspapers, song sheets and broadsides.

Later items related to Washington are also of interest to the collector. A popular type of china called Liverpoolware was produced in England for the American market. The Liverpoolware produced in 1799 featured many designs honoring Washington on the occasion of his death, and in the few years following. Most of the pieces had a white glaze and were decorated with a transfer print, usually in black. A variety of designs appeared on these tankards, mugs, pitchers and jars. (Contemporary versions of these pieces may be purchased today at Mount Vernon, Washington’s home in Virginia.)

British potters also began producing dinnerware featuring Washington at this same time. Made from a cheap clay, these pieces were colored a deep blue, (partially to hide flaws in the pottery.)

In the 1820s, some interesting papier mache snuffboxes were made, featuring either Washington alone, or with the Marquis de Lafayette.
A new wave of Washington memorabilia was produced in 1832, as the country recognized the 100th anniversary of his birth. Among these items were snuffboxes made of tortoise shell with a brass insert carrying Washington’s profile. At least two designs of cup plates were made, and ribbon collectors will find a wide range of items, recognizing his statesmanship, his military successes and his Presidency.

Additional peaks of production occurred in 1876 and 1889, the years marking the nation’s centennial and the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration. Among the nicer things produced were Stevengraph bookmarks, which are finely embroidered designs on silk. Washington was also featured on other items ranging from red bandannas to razor blade handles.

Collectors of George Washington memorabilia may also find additions to their collections by checking campaign material of many later presidents. Frequently, his picture appears in some form along with that of the candidate, presumably in the hope that some of Washington’s prestige will be reflected.

And, of course, collectors living in the state of Washington will find the first President’s likeness used on hundreds of items produced in their state. That could be an entire collection in itself.

Donna Miller

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