Depression glass is one of the most popular and valuable antique glassware. This type of glass was made in the early 20th century and is identifiable by its characteristic deep blue or amber color.
If you’re lucky enough to own some Depression glass, you’ll want to know about the different patterns and their values.
Here we’ve compiled a list of the 21 most valuable Depression glass patterns and approximate values. So if you’re thinking about starting a collection, this is a great place to start!
Table of Contents
What Is Depression Glass?
Depression glass is a type of fine art pottery characterized by dark colors, heavy designs, and often a pale blue or green tint.
It can also be made in more subtle colors like red and black, but some of the best examples are colored blue and green. Although depression glass was most popular during the 1920s and 1930s, it was still made up until the 1970s.
What was first called “safes” were created by adding small amounts of lead to kiln-fired porcelain to make an extremely durable glaze over a simple clay body.
This type of glazing helped develop the popular patterns and colors in depression glass. Even today, there are still several types of American-made pottery from companies such as McCoy and Fenton that are reminiscent of this style.
During the 1920s, depression glass was most popular among consumers who wanted an affordable yet elegant addition to their home decor. They were in different models like bowls, pitchers, vases, and lamps.
Some expensive jewelry pieces incorporated this beautiful type of art pottery – such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings – that added a bit more style to everyday clothing for women.
The most distinctive feature of depression glass is the rich dark colors and even darker designs. Most colors are shades of greens, blues, or browns, but there are other colors.
It’s also interesting to note that many pieces with a green hue have a yellowish tint to them because of the added copper in the glaze.
The History Of Depression Glass
Depression glass is a variety of pressed and blown glassware that first became prominent in the 1930s in response to the needs created by families affected by the Great Depression.
During the 1930s Depression, several federal programs helped financially struggling families. And as a result, people looking for unique and decorative forms of glassware took to depression glass.
The Depression glass we are almost familiar with is the sort that was pressed or molded into unique shapes and colors, then colored with pressed color.
During much of the 1940s, depression glass was factory-made in Germany and other countries such as Poland and Czechoslovakia.
It was mainly used as dinnerware by American families during those decades, but it quickly became popular among collectors of all ages. It also became highly collectible because of its inherent beauty.
21 Most Valuable Depression Glass Patterns
1. Depression Glass Console Bowl
This depression glass console bowl is a rare find and would make the perfect complement to any home.
The quality of craftsmanship was just as good then as it is now, providing an excellent example of what the original artisans were capable of in their day. It’s still elegant and lovely today, even with a few small chips on the bowl bottom.
The depression glass console bowl features a glossy golden patina that makes it stand out from other similar glassware you can find these days at department stores and home improvement stores.
2. Green Depression Glass: Creamer And Sugar Bowl
These sets have green optic panes, cream inside, and blue outside. Some are marked with the name Buffalo Bill Wilder on the bottom of the red base.
There are many rare variations with more than four sets in stock, and some sets do not feature a red base but have one of many rare flowers or animals instead.
This pattern is stunning in its simplicity. And this pattern set is highly sought after by collectors because, much like other rare pieces from this era, it shows that no two pieces are exactly alike.
3. Vintage Pink Depression Glass Tea Cup
This vintage pink depression glass tea cup from Jeanette co. of the 1930s offers a cherry blossom pattern on the top of this porcelain-enameled cup.
The amethysts are also shaped like flowers, and they have a vivid color that is different from red or rose because they stand out against the background of the white flowers.
This lovely teacup is perfect for home or as part of your collection. It is in excellent condition.
4. Green Depression Uranium glass
This big and highly decorative piece is made of rare Depression-era uranium glass with a large and impressive green pattern urn with a stylized parrot top.
The unusual material is heavily sought after today as it gained recognition in the 1990s during the “retro” style period.
Uranium glass has a characteristic bluish-green sheen when held up to the light and was used primarily by only a few companies between 1920 – 1930.
This wonderfully decorative urn would make an excellent focal point of any room or garden and will not disappoint collectors seeking this sought-after rarity.
5. Federal Pink Depression Glass
Federal Glass Co. of Sharon, Pennsylvania, produced a line of Depression Era glassware called the “Sharon Cabbage Rose” pattern.
It was introduced in 1937, and you can frequently find it with a pink tint rather than the customary iridescent colors in other Federal lines.
The pattern includes dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls, cups/saucers, and other items typical to the era, as well as some additional pieces not seen in many lines, such as a covered butter dish (in creamer shape), urn vase and bread-and-butter dish.
6. Depression Glass “Cloverleaf “Pattern Bowl
They were made in the 1930s and 1939s. They are a design that is still popular today. In a cloverleaf bowl, the bottom of the bowl is wider and heavier than the top of it.
The weight at the bottom prevents spilling, while its wide rim prevents spilling from occurring in your hand or onto a table surface when you set it down.
These bowls are lovely to look at, and they work well in a variety of settings. You can use them for cream, sugar, or other items that don’t need to be in the dishwasher.
You might use one as a serving bowl for a particular dish you want to serve. The possibilities are nearly endless!
7. Vintage Miniature Pink Depression Glass
This butter dish is an excellent example of Depression Glass, a type of glassware popular in the early and mid-20th centuries.
Displayed with the Floral Pattern, this butter dish will offer your table charming elegance and simplicity in equal measure. They depict an idyllic scene of countryside greenery, flowering trees, dainty flower beds, and hedges beautifully rendered by hand.
The floral pattern also features larger flowers cascading down the sides of the dish with smaller ones carefully arranged in their center.
After all these years, this delightful pattern remains a perfect tribute to those who lived through that difficult period.
8. Vintage Madrid Pattern Pink Depression Glass
The Classical Depression Glass Set of 8 Bowls is a classic and elegant 1950s pink-colored vintage glassware ready to be used in everyday life.
It is made of durable, non-toxic raw materials and can withstand temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit without damage or breakage.
The bowls are dishwasher safe, and one should never hand wash them with soap or use them for food items other than liquids.
They are stain-resistant and scratch resistant as well as non-porous, which means they won’t absorb odors, bacteria, or anything that could harm you.
9. Vintage Cobalt Blue Depression Glass
These vintage cobalt blue depression glass salt and pepper shakers with swirl patterns are just the perfect accessories for any kitchen table.
They’re made of hand-blown glass with a black enameled interior, so they’ll never rust or tarnish.
With such a whimsical swirl design on each shaker, these salt and pepper shakers will surely be appreciated by anyone who owns them!
10. Vtg Green Uranium Depression Glass
This piece is a Vtg Green Uranium Depression Glass Poinsettia Pattern Pitcher. It’s marked on the bottom with “Uranium,” and it’s in excellent shape — no chips, stains, or cracks!
The mold was cast in green uranium glass before being cut into slices by hand. Makers then sliced these slices again to give the three flower shapes inside.
It holds 14 ounces of liquid and is about 7.5 inches tall by 5.25 inches in diameter. The handle on this pitcher is high, so you can pour more liquid into it without spilling it all over yourself.
11. Vintage ADAM Pattern Jeannette Pink Depression Glass
A fabulous gift for the collector of Depression Glass, this ADAM Pattern Jeanette Pink Depression Glass Pitcher is in pristine condition. Jeanette initially introduced these patterns in 1930.
This well-made pitcher features a square base and a unique design that includes scalloped sides and a threaded neck with a collar.
It will be an excellent addition to any glassware collection and an elegant accompaniment to your dining table, whether you use it to serve beverages or your favorite flowers.
12. Vintage Uranium Indiana Depression Green Glass
This glassware is a vintage uranium-Indiana depression glass Lorain basket pattern creamer. It is in excellent clean condition inside and out with no chips or cracks, just light use marks.
The bottom of the lid has a few tiny surface scratches from use, but otherwise, this piece is spotless! It would make an excellent addition to your collection, or it would be perfect for someone who collects antiques!
13. Pink Art Nouveau Pattern Vase Vintage Depression glass
Made in the 1930s, it is in fantastic condition and has survived decades of use. This vase will fit into any decor style as it boasts an array of colors. Plus, it would make an excellent gift for that special someone!
This particular vase is a vintage depression glass wide neck with feet, meaning the lines are very smooth but not as sharp as water glass.
This piece is one of Depression Glass’s most intricate designs, making the vase much more valuable than the average example.
It has a wide mouth which is great for filling with flowers or small garden plants.
14. Federal Pink Depression Glass
If you are looking for spectacular Depression Glass, this is the perfect set! The Sharon pattern is one of American glassware’s most elegant and popular patterns.
The delicately embossed texture of this beautiful glass is a distinctive characteristic. As well as providing a heavy weight and superior quality, this pattern comes decorated with raised stylized flowers, which offer an attractive contrast to the white surface.
15. Vintage Depression Glass
This pink candy dish is lovely, perfect for serving your favorite candy!
This dish has a Cubist pattern and features a pink glass. The plate is 7″ in “diameter. It would be perfect for serving off of any table or counter space. An excellent piece for any home, this piece is functional as well as decorative!
16. Vintage Clear Depression Glass
“Rare,” you may say. This Vintage Clear Depression Glass Strawberry Pattern Jelly or Juice Jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or stains. The Daisy is 5 3/4 inches tall and in pristine condition.
Vintage Clear Depression Glass Strawberry Pattern Jelly Jugs are an excellent addition to your collection.
17. 8-Inch Vintage Pink Depression Glass
A hand-thrown beaut, this Depression Glass Footed Bowl is made of pink iridescent glass with a 3 toes flower pattern and has a dull gold rick polish making it reminiscent of the 1930s.
This bowl is perfect for serving cinnamon rolls and other breakfast delights or as a side dish. Due to its size, it might not be suitable for use with regular-sized dinner plates but will complement most modern decor.
18. Depression Era Green Vaseline Glass
This Depression-era green glass salt and pepper shaker set features a popular ” Princess Pattern design.”
This pattern is characterized by a white band of fine lines encircling the cavity, which was created by bowing the glass during manufacture.
The depression era saw an increase in green glass production. In other words, there is an excess supply of these Depression-era Salt & Pepper Shakers from that period, so they will not be as challenging to find as other collectible items.
The “Princess Salt & Pepper Shakers” set is an excellent piece for the Collector, Gift, or Keepsake.
19. Vintage Pink Depression Glass Madrid Pattern
This piece is a vintage pink depression glass Madrid Pattern round serving bow made in the late 1920s or early 1930s.
It is deep in color with a unique scalloped edge and fan-shaped handles on each side of the bowl.
The shade of pink is called ‘Madrid Pink,’ a brighter and more modern take on the famous “Rose Pink” of olden times that used to signify wealth and prestige but now only appears in England, France, Italy, and Russia.
20. Green Uranium Depression Glass Rose Pattern
Green Uranium Depression Glass Rose Pattern Footed Sherbet Dessert Cup Dish. This green uranium depression glass rose pattern footed sherbet dessert cup dish is made of uranium.
The color of the glassware is green. It has a footed design, with five roses with leaves and two flowers on the side of the top flared ribbing. It has a pattern on the front and back and feet spread at the top in a square shape.
21. Indiana Glass Green Depression
Indiana Glass is a brand of glassware and tableware, particularly the Depression-era glassware produced by Indiana Glass Company.
Depression glassware is a pressed, machine-made glass often decorated with geometric and nature-themed patterns. The depression era occurred during the time from 1929 to 1939.
Why Were Depression Glasses Popular?
So why were so many Americans buying depression glasses during this time period? There are several reasons for this, but one of the most important ones is its affordability. This art pottery was inexpensive to fit even the most modest budgets.
The designs and colors of depression glass also played a big part in its popularity. Many people wanted the prim and proper look that this pottery gave them, especially since it was a new way to decorate their homes.
Because depression glass introduced a variety of colors and patterns to the table, many Americans now had an opportunity to dress up their own homes while maintaining respectability.
Depression glass was also popular because it contained small amounts of lead in its glaze. It allowed for more vivid colors than traditional fine art pottery.
With that in mind, let’s look at the most popular styles of depression glass!
Valuable Depression Glass Patterns And Colors
Depression-era pottery’s most popular patterns and colors are clear and simple with various dark shades.
Some of the best and most valuable patterns include:
Commodore
Most pieces with this pattern typically feature a broad dark brown band around the rim with pale yellow lemon, green or blue body color.
There generally is no painted design on the body itself – only on the band around the edge.
Majolica
This pattern is sometimes referred to as “open fret” because small leaves and flowers are arranged in an open fret pattern. The colors are typically pale yellow, lilac, and blues – with the highlights found on the rim band.
Windsor Blue
Although this is technically named after a color, it’s a pattern that features pale yellow, pale blue, and light green colors on a completely white background.
Antoinette
These are one of the most beautiful depression glass patterns ever created – this style doesn’t look like your typical fine art pottery. Instead, it features a brown and white design that looks like delicate wood grain.
These are just some of the most popular patterns, but other colors were also used.
Most colors come in green or blue, but there were also several red and black. Yellow is one of the most common colors found in depression glass, though this is usually a pastel shade.
However, some pieces are dyed with heavy yellow pigments to give them a more sunny hue-such as Lemon Yellow-while dark red was also used occasionally.
Another great thing about depression glass is that it was made into various functional pieces for the home, such as pitchers, vases, and bowls for flowers.
Several decorative lamps were also included in these designs, making them a perfect addition to any bedroom. And of course, the most popular, most versatile piece was the bowl – there were plenty of pitcher and vase varieties as well!
What Is Depression Glass Value?
Want to know the value of your depression glass?
There are different methods that you can use to determine whether or not your Depression glass piece has some value.
The first step to determining worth is understanding what makes each glass category unique and then understanding how much demand there would be for that category of depression glass in general.
Knowing what sets your particular piece apart from similar articles will give you additional insight into how much it might be worth.
For example, you may have a piece that is a bit lighter or darker than the glass in your category. The item could have scuffs or scratches on it.
Or this particular piece could be an odd shape that you can’t find another in comparison to it. Adding information like this will help you get a better idea of value.
1. Pattern or Type
If your glass is part of one particular pattern or type of glass, then you will want to understand the demand for that specific pattern, the supply for that particular pattern, and how rare your piece might be.
2. Color
You can figure out the colors and patterns of Depression Glass in two different ways. The first is by looking at the color of particular pieces that are similar to your glass.
If there are several other examples of the same color or pattern, this will give you an idea of the demand for that exact color or design. It will also help you determine if your piece is rare or not.
The second way to determine a piece’s value based on color is to figure out what color it is.
3. Size
The size of your piece will help you determine how rare it might be.
If there were a variety of bowl or plate sizes and you have a plate with the same pattern but not the same size, it may be harder for buyers to find a match for your piece at auction.
4. Condition
The condition of your piece plays an essential role in its value. It may be more uncommon for your Depression glass piece to be in better shape.
Slight wear and tear on the glass might deter buyers from buying it because they think their piece would look “old” or “vintage” if it were in better condition.
Conclusion
Depression-era glassware has become popular among collectors due to its unique shape. And multiple resources help collectors, buyers, and dealers to identify depression glassware and its value.
Through the above pieces of information, we have made sure that you came to know everything about depression glass.
So we hope that you find this information valuable, and these insights will help you determine the value of your depression glass.
Hence, whether you’re looking to start or add to your collection, be sure to check out this list!
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