The 20th century was replete with brightly colored Depression glass. Once an affordable necessity, it's now a lively way to brighten your bar carts and kitchen shelves.
A Guide to Depression Glass: What to Look for at the Antique Store
Published on Jan. 17, 2025
Looking to expand that small collection of brightly hued glassware you inherited? Tempted to buy amethyst parfait dishes or green teacups every time you go antiquing? Like collecting vintage cookie jars and vintage Pyrex, these pieces of glassware are fun finds at antique stores, in grandma’s attic or on online marketplaces, and it’s helpful to brush up on your Depression glass knowledge so you know what to look for.
What is Depression glass?
Like the name suggests, Depression glass is drinkware and serveware that was initially made during the Great Depression. It was mass-produced in the 1920s and 1930s and continued even through the ’40s and early ’50s. The glass was cheap to make, as it came from molds, and automated machines could churn out hundreds of pieces a day. Light greens, cobalt blues, rosy pinks, sunny ambers and ruby reds were just a few of the shades that brightened homes during dark economic times, adding beauty to American dinner tables—often for $2 or less per piece—when fine china and crystal weren’t part of the budget.
What are the most common Depression glass colors?
Unlike the monochrome beige and ivory shades of modern kitchens, Depression glass came in a medley of bright colors. If you’re shopping for vintage bar cart accessories, you bet a collection of Depression glass will add pizzazz.
Pastel hues like pink, green, yellow or amber are the most common. Emerald green pieces were produced in the 1920s through the 1950s, but not at the same scale as the pastel green pieces. Amethyst, pale blue, cobalt blue and ruby red could be harder to find if you’re looking for specific pieces, but most secondhand stores still have sufficient collections. Some glass companies also created clear, iridescent and opaque shades.
Is Depression glass valuable?
In theory, no; you’re not going to make thousands off Depression glass if you try to sell it. (Your vintage Corningware is another story, though.) Most styles and colors are still widely available at thrift stores and antique shops, as well as online retailers like Etsy and eBay. Many pieces and sets don’t sell for much more than $45.
If the Depression glass you have was passed down to you, though, of course it’s valuable! For my engagement, an aunt handed down a set of ruby red cordial glasses. It came with a note that explained the set was originally a wedding present for my grandparents, and that one glass went missing throughout the years. As a frequent antique shopper, finding a sixth cordial glass to complete the set was easy—and cheap. But the sentimentality of hosting small dinner parties while using the same glasses my grandparents once used is priceless.
How to Tell If Your Depression Glass Is Real
Not all vintage finds are fancy. Depression glass, jadeite glass and milk glass are perfect examples. Depression glass, like other mass-produced glass, has humble origins and was made for everyday use. Unlike cut crystal with its perfect lines, Depression-era drinkware and serveware has mold lines (i.e. those seams down the center), bubbles, rounded edges and other imperfections. Unless you stumbled upon a box that was never opened and sat untouched in someone’s attic, you’re probably also going to see scuff marks, chips and other blemishes.
Pieces that have no signs of wear and tear are likely reproductions. If you have a well-researched knowledge of the specific patterns you’re interested in, you’ll likely be able to tell which are originals. For example, one collector made a whole blog post with images differentiating the original cherry blossom Depression glass to a newer model. In short, the etchings in the reproduction looked hand-drawn. The etchings in the original look more like a machine perfected the carving.
Where to Buy Depression Glass
As mentioned, your best bet for finding glass is in antique stores, in thrift shops or on online marketplaces. You could also look for it at yard and estate sales. The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Depression Glass can help you determine certain colors and patterns, so you’re not buying reproductions that have been mixed in with original pieces. You can also learn a lot from the National Depression Glass Association, which organizes glass shows and conventions for the truly passionate collector!
