Object of the Day: A Glittering Bristol Glass Vase

We’ve talked about several Bristol glass pieces here at Stalking the Belle Époque. My fondness for the medium is evident and I’ve collected many examples over the years. Bristol glass allowed designers to have a newfound freedom with the shapes of their objects and afforded households with an opportunity to display unusual art glass that they previously had no access to.


This Bristol glass vase dates to about 1870 and represents a favorite shape of vase with a delicate base and scalloped top. What sets this piece apart is the hand-painted design. On one hand, the pattern is quite typical—an organic scene of flowers contrasted against the milky-white background. However, the design has been elevated by the inclusion of pearlescent paint and raised gilding which gives the pattern a sparkle and dimension not evident in other examples from the time period. Even on a shelf in a rather dark corner of the room, this vase always catches the light and glitters brilliantly. Our Victorian forebears were very interested in making the most of low-light conditions and allowing natural colors and forms to show through. Pieces such as this one show their triumph over the dark.