| Antique glassware collecting is a hobby, or a vocation | | | | is then shaped and aerated. This tube or cylinder is |
| for some which is truly satisfying, as you acquire | | | | then attained lengthwise, divided, heated again, and |
| access to some of the most remarkable and valuable | | | | collapsed into a smooth plane. Archetypal |
| pieces ever produced. | | | | distinctiveness include striking linear parallel grooves |
| Glass making is of an enduring one, as this tradition | | | | and an immaculate façade. |
| has survived well into the 21st century and will be | | | | Drawn antique or also known as semi-antique, new |
| around probably till the end of time, as no other | | | | antique or machine antique is glassware which |
| materials can compare to it. Plus, glass making | | | | simulates full antique manufacturing utilizing the |
| technology is advancing so rapidly that manufacturers | | | | vertical draw technique. The stripes of contrasting |
| are discovering consistently of exciting innovative | | | | colors, or feel of the surfaces are applied |
| usage methods. | | | | mechanically. However, this does not affect quality, |
| Glass was first produced in the Middle East over | | | | as it remains infallible. The good news is that drawn |
| more than 3500 years ago, and was first introduced | | | | antique costs less than full antique. One great |
| in England circa 1226. The extensiveness of glassware | | | | example of drawn antique would be the German |
| use permeated the world over for centuries, and | | | | New Antique, or in some circles, known as GNA. |
| since its inception, many styles have been conceived | | | | A scribed antique is made using the double roll |
| to suit the needs of consumers and collectors. | | | | method, akin to sheet forming. Its linear ridges or |
| The glassware industry began making leaps and | | | | furrows are marked directly into the piping glass |
| bounds during the 19th century. Novel methods and | | | | surface. Scribe antique was first coined by Spectrum |
| practices were encumbered in Britain, America, | | | | Glass Company in 1996, and labeled as 'Artique'. This |
| Bohemia, France and Germany; these countries | | | | type of antique is also less expensive than full |
| manufactured glassware of exquisite designs and | | | | antique. |
| dimensions. Innovative techniques such as engraving, | | | | When the first World War commenced, there was a |
| (cameo and rock crystal styles) cutting and acid | | | | significant decrease in antique glassware quality, |
| etching were widely utilized to create the most | | | | although some key pieces with high integrity were |
| beautiful intricate patterns. | | | | still intermittently produced. After the second World |
| In the earlier part of the 20th century, some of the | | | | War, there was a considerable decline with the |
| world's most coveted glassware was produced in | | | | manufacturing of designs with useful functions. |
| America and France. These glassware items are | | | | The key to collecting antique glassware is to first |
| considered as antiques, and auctioned at very high | | | | look at the designs, then condition. Some antique |
| prices. | | | | glassware was made to endure, and make excellent |
| Let us briefly understand what constitutes as antique | | | | additions to your existing collection. You need not |
| glassware: | | | | spend vast amounts of money to start collecting. |
| The term 'full antique' refers to glassware | | | | Scout through garage sales and attics of friends and |
| manufactured using the traditional mouth-blown | | | | families, with permission of course; you just might |
| cylinder process. The artisan blows a glass tube which | | | | find some invaluable treasures. |