Object of the Day: A Ruffled Bristol Glass Vase

The art of Bristol glass was a mainstay of the Victorian decorative arts. Most homes had Bristol glass pieces which, aside from being decorative, were used in daily life. Bristol glass took many forms. By the mid-Victorian period when all things ruffled were the rage, Bristol glass objects often featured ruffled details. This Bristol glass vase is English in origin and dates to the 1860’s. Remarkably still brilliant in color, the vase is a bright blue upon which a Rococo revival pattern has been painted in gold and accented with small red flowers and greenery. This color combination says a lot about the palette of Victorian homes. Many of us tend to think of Victorian design as being very dark and muddy. However, middle Nineteenth Century families enjoyed bright colors and employed them frequently into their décor.

Bristol glass—especially older pieces—is quite fragile and should be treated carefully. However, when kept out of harm’s way, they will continue to bring brilliance and beauty to your home for many more decades to come.