During the great depression, glass decanters (Glass carafes) were associated with everyday use for tableware and for meals. The decanter was used for serving either wine or water and every piece had a specific size and use, such as sherbert bowls for sherbert, wine glasses for wine, tumblers, salad bowls and plates. In addition, the decanters were also used as a container for bath salts and the stopper was used to measure with. In 1930-1934, the Hocking Glass Company manufactured a glass carafe/glass decanter line named "Cameo." This piece is also referred to as "Ballerina" or "Dancing Girl" and they have been described as the most adored pattern of Depression Glass. The darker green bottles with the Cameo design are marked on the bottom as "Whitehouse Vinegar." As the name infers, these were sold with vinegar and a cork and glass stoppers should be found on the water bottles. The glass stoppers do not have the cameo pattern on them, they are plain paneled stoppers with hollow centers and are often missing from the bottles. For instance, purchasing a glass decanter and matching stopper that were sold with bath salts from the depression era, are particularly hard to find because the decanters that were sold with the bath salts, were most likely broken due to wet conditions in the bathroom.
Today if you are fortunate enough to find any of these rare glass decanters, I will include some examples of asking prices. A 10" green ’Cameo’decanter with stopper is valued at over $200.00, and the crystal and platinum decanter with stopper is $275.00. In addition, the matching stoppers are made with the frost appearance, and represent as much as 1/3 of the decanter’s value. In 1927, the Monongah Glass Company manufactured a line named "Springtime" and the green decanter with a cut facet stopper is valued as much as $125.00. In the late 1930's to late 1940's, the Dell Glass Company manufactured the "Tulip" line of glass decanters and glass carafes. The elusive amethyst (also in blue) glass decanter with a tulip styled stopper is valued at $495.00. The least expensive depression glass decanter was manufactured by the Indiana Glass Company from the 1920's to the 1980's. The line was named "Sandwich" due to the nature of the manufacturing time and the price range is $25.00 - $150.00. Crystal & Amber colored glass decanters are $25.00, red is $80.00 and pink or green $150.00. Manufacturing the green and pink glass decanters in the 1920's-1930's are justifiably priced, as well as the red decanters/carafes which were most likely manufactured after the depression. The least expensive Amber & Crystal decanter/carafe are most likely the easiest to find. There is no simple method to distinguish old crystal from new as most of the new was made from original molds. The depression glass decanters are expensive to collect, but in comparison to the dollar amount, the value of these antiques are considered priceless by many.
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