Slices of life, both written and photographed.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Hobnail Milk Glass Vase



Sometimes life surprises us with unexpected treats.

As a gift for a dear friend who adores thrift store shopping, I wanted to give a certificate to Goodwill.

It would help Goodwill, an organization that helps train and employ people, plus give a gift I knew would be appreciated.

My plan was to park my car, run in, get the certificate and run out.

Some plans go awry.

I found a parking space, entered the store and headed right for the check out area until I saw it.

  "It" was an entire shelf of milk glass items!  Someone must have donated an entire collection.

My heart did a few flip flops as I moseyed over there. 

There were numerous absolutely gorgeous pieces including an elegant cake stand. How beautiful a pink frosted cake would look on that!

In the end, I decided to buy just one milk glass item, a lovely hobnail vase with fluted rim. It's about 11 inches high.  It was less than $7.00!  I really love this vase. It's the one shown in this post.

Many times during the  next few days I thought of the other lovely milk glass items, so I returned to the store. Thankfully, they were all gone. Purchased. Brought to new homes other than my own. Amen.


Did you know that milk glass dates to the 16th century?  And that it was originally made in Venice?

One thing I was surprised to learn is that it comes in more colors than milky white!  That's right. There is black, blue, pink and yellow milk glass! The black pieces are quite stunning.

There's even a National Milk Glass Collectors Society established in 1984! Their newsletter is titled "Opaque News."  If you check things out on computer, go to their website.

So that's the story of my new hobnail milk glass vase and the companion pieces that got away.

 ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH MILK GLASS?  DO YOU LIKE IT?

20 comments:

Heirloom treasures said...

I love it,but sadly don't have any. Your vase is stunning. I read once somewhere,that we will never regret the things we buy but always the ones that got away. :)

Glenda said...

I am familiar with it, but have never been especially fond of it. My tastes are rather simple, and it just looks "cluttered" to me, but in your setting, it looks quite beautiful! I'm glad you could be happy that the other pieces got away, but I'm sure you could have used that lovely cake stand! Keep shopping, Susan! I enjoy seeing your bargains! :-)

diane.stetson said...

Oh my gosh...I just gave away three pieces of milkglass to my local good will. I had no idea it was worth money. Oh well..live and learn.

Merlesworld said...

I have heard of it but don't have any my aunty had a collection, they sat on a window ledge and I wasn't allowed to touch it, I think she had some coloured ones.
Merle...

Unknown said...

Hello from Spain: I really like this vase milk glass. I did not know the story. I have none in my house. The color and shape are very stylish. Very good buy. Keep in touch

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Susan..... I was given a beautiful gold edged white milk glass bowl as a wedding present...I loved it. We used this bowl for special occasions for nearly 50 years.. I passed it onto my second daughter a few years ago. She has a beautiful white milk glass collection..she brought the bowl over to our hose for our 50th wedding anniv.........so sweet...

Linda O'Connell said...

You do find the treasures!

me said...

Milk glass is one of my weaknesses. The vase you found is lovely! :)

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, that was your lucky day! I love milk glass. My mother-in-law used to collect it, I bought her a few pieces in the past.
Thanks for visiting my blog, I always enjoy visiting with you!
~Dorothy

Bookie said...

Lovely, Susan. I have both a large and a small white milk glass pitchers. Last summer I found a vase too! Fun pieces...glad you did not fall into temptation of bringing whole collection home!

Anonymous said...

I love milk glass....used to have a few pieces of my own....but had to part with all the extras when we moved. I miss them...but honestly...I wouldn't have anywhere to put them. My studio equipment and supplies take up most of my home...heheee...


I love the vase you brought home. Great choice.

Ciao bella.
Creative Carmelina
xoxoxo

Lady Linda said...

Oh Susan, I just read your post to my hubby and we were laughing with delight! We love others who share our joy and passion for "the hunt"! I adore your vase and really like milk glass. My mom collected it and my dad still has most of the pieces in his apt. My daughter Gina used a variety of vases last Sept for her tables at the wedding. I got to hunt for them and was surprised at how many different pieces we were able to find.Off to bible!
Love ya,
Linda

Ruth Kelly said...

I never knew it was called hobnail milk glass. My blog friends are educating me.

Nellie said...

Yes, I'm familiar with milk glass, but have never collected any. Your vase is really pretty!

Suzan said...

Ohhh I know milk glass! My Grandmother has several very nice pieces. I'm not sure what ever happened to it!! I don't think I have seen the black. Grandma's was the light green.
You have a very nice piece indeed!!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Susan that is a lovely vase! I am a lover of milk glass and have a fairly large collection. I only buy pieces that just really call my name now and your vase would have been one!
hugs, Linda

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Most of my shopping trips wind up being something for me and something for someone else. Looks like you got quite a bargain with the vase. It is very pretty! Have a fabulous Friday. Tammy

Rebecca said...

I have seen it; suspect that I don't know enough about it to shop intelligently; learned more in your post than I've learned in a lifetime about milk glass (so you KNOW how little I know)!

I DO know I like the shape of your sweet vase :)

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Pretty vase! I do love all things white and have a few pieces of Milk Glass that belonged to my mom.

Dee said...

I have a milk glass lamp. I have seen the other colors but I still like white the best.I can just picture you when you saw a full shelf of lovelies..LOL

Related Posts with Thumbnails