Golf-Themed Glass
As the game of golf grew in popularity, golf became a common theme for different areas of the decorative arts. The majority of collectible golf glass was produced between 1890 and 1940 in England or the United States and many of the items serve a purpose related to drinking or smoking. Some pieces were commissioned as tournament prizes or made exclusively for wealthy clients of glass companies.
Often items were decorated by etching, engraving or cutting. Alone or in combination with these methods, a second color was added by overlay, flashing or staining. In addition, enameling was used to create a many-colored design on the surface of the glass. Cut glass items were also available – adding another dimension to the piece. Glass was also frequently decorated with silver accents, some with silver rims and other edging, while others were partially or entirely overland with silver. Silver accents are often marked “Sterling.”
Prominent American companies producing glass included T.G. Hawkes & Co. in Corning, New York, founded in 1880 and producing glass through the 1930s. The Cambridge Glass Company was incorporated in 1901 in Cambridge, Ohio and produced golf motif glass in the 1920’s. Mt. Washington Glass Works was founded in 1837 in Boston, but moved to New Bedford, MA in 1876. The company merged with Pairpoint Manufacturing in 1894 and operated until 1929. Black, Starr & Frost of New York was founded in Savannah, GA in the early 1800’s. The Handel Company was founded in Meriden, CT in 1885 and continued operations until 1936.
Occasionally pieces are seen that were produced by Loetz, an Austrian company, and by Heinrich Hoffman, a Czechoslovakia who started firms in Paris and Bohemia.
As with all areas of glass collecting, clear glass is more easily found. Colored pieces are usually harder to find and as a result command higher prices. In addition to cost and rarity, glass collectors are hampered by the nature of the glass itself. Unlike ceramics, broken glass is difficult to repair invisibly and thus is often discarded. Golfing glass items are relatively affordable and fun to acquire as the focus of a collection or part of a broader collection.
Photographs courtesy of Bonhams
