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Silver Overlay Teal Glass Vase - Art Nouveau Style Floral Motif

A teal colored glass vase with silver floral overlay designs on a wooden surface.

Estimated value

$45 - $125

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Brand

Silver City Glass Company

Era

Circa 1940-1960

Origin

🇺🇸 United States

Authenticity

Very High(85%)
2

SILVER OVERLAY TEAL GLASS VASE - ART NOUVEAU STYLE FLORAL MOTIF: IDENTIFICATION

A baluster-form teal glass vase featuring electroplated silver overlay in a flowing Art Nouveau floral and foliate design. The silver deposit is applied to the exterior surface of the translucent blue-green glass, covering the rim, foot, and body with stylized vines and blossoms. The interior of the flared rim shows a smooth fire-polished finish typical of mid-century decorative glassware.

Compare with other decorative pieces in the archive: Mid-Century Modern Abstract Stone Sculpture on Marble Base, Amber Pressed Glass Tray - Starburst Pattern, Wall-Mounted Barometer and Thermometer.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

Art Nouveau1890-1910

The sinuous, whiplash floral motifs on the vase are a direct design legacy of the Art Nouveau movement.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •Mid-century formal dining gift-giving, often used as wedding or anniversary presents.

Meaning Through Time

1940s

Symbol of middle-class domestic elegance and refined taste.

PRODUCTION PERIOD

Silver overlay glass reached its zenith in the early 20th century with manufacturers like Silver City Glass Company and Rockwell Silver Company. This specific style of deposit, utilizing electroplating on glass blanks, was commercially popular in the United States and Europe from the 1920s through ...
Silver overlay glass reached its zenith in the early 20th century with manufacturers like Silver City Glass Company and Rockwell Silver Company. This specific style of deposit, utilizing electroplating on glass blanks, was commercially popular in the United States and Europe from the 1920s through the 1950s. The teal color of the glass suggests a production date likely between 1940 and 1960, a period when manufacturers like Sterling Glass or Silver City frequently produced colored glassware with sterling accents.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

Silver City Glass Company, founded in 1905, became a market leader by purchasing glass blanks from firms like Fenton and Blenko to apply their signature 'Sterling' decorations.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 18 decorative items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • Classic mid-century construction techniques consistent with known makers like Rockwell or Silver City
  • Natural tarnish patterns on the silver deposit align with age
How does authenticity detection work?

DECORATIVE ARTS EXPERT'S TAKE

Decorative Arts Specialist

Silver & Glass Expert

The object presents clear visual markers of American mid-century silver overlay glass, though the absence of a visible hallmark on the base prevents a definitive 0.90+ confidence rating.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Electroplated silver deposit technique identified by the raised profile above the glass surface.
  • 2Vibrant teal color indicative of mid-century glass palettes.
  • 3Baluster form with flared rim consistent with American glass blank production circa 1950.
  • 4Presence of tarnish indicates the metal is real silver rather than a modern chrome or paint-based substitute.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Lack of visible 'Sterling' mark on the base or within the silver design makes definitive metal purity unverified from images.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Check the underside of the base for a 'Sterling' stamp or manufacturer's mark.
  • →Use a soft silver cloth on a small area to confirm the metal's response to polishing.
  • →Inspect the rim for small 'flea bites' or hidden chips under the silver wrap.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

Minor tarnish and surface oxidation typical of age are visible on the silver; no major chips or fractures are evident in the glass body or rim from the primary angle.

Weight & feel

Estimated weight of 0.8–1.2 kg; glass appears to be of standard thickness for American mid-century hollowware, providing a stable, bottom-heavy feel.

DECORATIVE ARTS VALUATION

$45 - $125

Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Who buys this

Mid-century glass enthusiasts and collectors of 20th-century American decorative arts.

What increases value

  • •Vibrant teal glass color is more desirable than clear or amber variations
  • •Completeness of the floral silver pattern without lifting or peeling

What lowers value

  • •Deep scratches in the glass or permanent 'clouding' from hard water use
  • •Loss of silver deposit particularly on the high-use rim area

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Verified 'Sterling' marks on the metal
  • •Intact manufacturer paper labels on the base

Grade & condition

Clarity of glass, integrity of silver adhesion, and lack of base wear.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandSells quickly
Browse similar decorative objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

YOUR INPUT VS. SCAN

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

  • User stated 'Minor wear' - visual evidence showing surface tarnish and light abrasions consistent with gentle domestic use over several decades.
  • User stated 'Original/Authentic' - manufacturing method (silver deposit electroplating) matches the style and era of 20th-century American decorative glass.

FROM THE CABINET OF

CS

cswisha
Wonderseeker•5 items

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Silver, glassware, metalwork, enamelwork, and decorative arts.

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