American Brilliant Period Cut Glass

This example of American Brilliant cut glass dates to the late 1800's or early 1900's. (SHNS photo courtesy Joe Rosson and Helaine Fendelman / Treasures In Your Attic)

Dear Helaine and Joe: Enclosed is a picture of a crystal punch bowl that belonged to my great-aunt. When tapped, it chimes. I know it goes back to the late 1800s or early 1900s. Please give me a little history and value. -- N.H., Carol Stream, Ill.

Dear N.H.: Cut glass has been around for a very long time. Before the last quarter of the 19th century, however, it tended to be cut rather simply in panels, diamonds, stars, fans and crosshatching. Then, after the Centennial celebration, cut glass went through a prismatic revolution where pieces were elaborately cut and faceted like fine gems.

This era, which lasted from about 1880 to about 1910, is called the "American Brilliant Period," and it is distinguished by deep, V-shaped miter cuts arranged in a wide variety of patterns that were designed to reflect light and make the glass sparkle. This type of glass became extremely popular with the American public, and during the years of its popularity, it was a favorite gift for weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions.

There is a tendency to think that because the pieces are heavy and substantial that they are also tough and hard to damage, but this is not the case. In reality, American Brilliant Period cut glass is extremely easy to damage because the high lead content of the glass makes it relatively soft and easy to chip and the deep cuttings can make the body a bit unstable and subject to cracking.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a piece of this type of glass be tapped to hear it ring. This is a common practice that can cause a piece to chip or crack and it makes us cringe every time we see or hear someone do it. In addition, this American Brilliant Period cut glass should never be washed in hot water (it may crack), and pieces should never be displayed in a sunny window because the piece will heat up during the day and cool down once the sun has gone down, causing expansion and contraction of the glass. That can be deadly to the glass.

The two-piece punch bowl belonging to N.H. is in a pattern known to collectors as "Harvard." This is known as a "chair-bottom" pattern because its decoration is somewhat reminiscent of the design found in the caning of a chair's seat. The "Harvard" pattern consists of squares separated by two diagonal lines that cut the corners of the various squares, which contain hobnail, crosshatching and star motifs.

No one seems to be sure when the "Harvard" pattern was first cut or by whom, but it is generally agreed that it is a relatively late Brilliant Period pattern, and a circa-1900 date for the piece in today's question is probably about right. Any number of glass companies cut this pattern, and there is some question as to who did it first, but some sources ascribe that honor to the Pairpoint Glass Company of New Bedford, Mass.

Pieces in the "Harvard" pattern are rarely signed by their manufacturer, but N.H. should carefully examine the inside center of the bowl for a faint, grayish stamp that will identify the maker (this marking may also appear on the base). Prices for American Brilliant Period cut glass seem to be a bit soft right now, but the particular two-piece punch bowl should be valued for insurance purposes in the range of $2,500 to $3,000.

(Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of the Price It Yourself (HarperResource, $19.95). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.)