topic Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS in Home

A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

Oznell — Fri, 02 May 2025 21:41:26 GMT

Have always liked milk glass, although I only have a few pieces. Lots of people do, as it was made in huge quantities over a long period of time, and often has sentimental associations for us, like the hobnail lamp that my parents had, and that I now have.

Do you have any fond memories of milk glass?

Milk glass always looks so fresh, and has so many interesting textures--

There are tons of articles online about it, including a good overview from Martha Stewart, and another from "Country Living" magazine:

Wow, the size of that punch bowl!

Since I have so little of it, apart from the lamp, I like to mix it with compatible things, like my little bits of white porcelain. You can get a refreshing, all-white look that is striking.

This vignette from online shows how compatible the different materials can be together --

But combined with completely different materials, like wood and metal, it can also look great. These plates really stand out.

I love what "The Antiqued Journey" did with hers, showcasing it in a basket, with a colored glass plant mister and cheerful table linens...

Some older milk glass does have lead in it-- experts say flick it with your finger, and if the glass rings like a bell, it probably does. If that's the case, I simply would use it only decoratively-- would not put food or drink in it.

I have a little lead-testing kit, from Amazon, and out of about 5 pieces, only one of mine tested positive for lead.

Here's a vintage "banana stand", in the distant past used for fruit, now used to display botanicals. Pretty and nostalgic, with the lace and book.

It can be coastal--

A lot of people do associate it with spring and the warmer months, like this milk glass vase combined with china teacups:

But I like to see the creative ways people use it all year round. As Lora B. shows, It's very compatible with Christmas greens and reds too, in these stacked compotes:

My favorite use of milk glass is with items that are deep blue, like cobalt glass, and any kind of blue and white china, like Delftware, chinoiserie, Wedgwood jasperware, etc. The little hobnail milk glass cruet plus other items is a graceful nod to the past...

There's always magic in midnight blue and white. That milk glass "thumb print" compote has a quiet elegance--

Edited to add-- May, 2025. Apologies for adding to this thread so late, but couldn't resist. See my post at the end, dated May 2nd, 2025, for an amazing coincidence!

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

KingstonMom — Thu, 02 May 2024 22:29:40 GMT

I have some pieces my MIL gave me, love them!

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

Eileen in Virginia — Thu, 02 May 2024 22:45:55 GMT

My mother had the candy dish in the first picture. The only appreciation we kids had for it was for the candy we knew was inside!

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

cheriere — Thu, 02 May 2024 22:48:49 GMT

@Oznell

I've always loved this type of glassware. Years ago, I bought my mom an antique perfume bottle like the white.❤️

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

on the bay — Thu, 02 May 2024 22:56:32 GMT

My grandmother had a dish like that and just like @Eileen in Virginia, we just appreciated the candy inside

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

Puggywuggy — Fri, 03 May 2024 00:00:55 GMT

I remember the candy dish that my grandmother and great grandmother had. I'm sure they had other pieces, however, I only had eyes for the candy dish at that time in my life 😘

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

SaveTheTurtles — Fri, 03 May 2024 00:48:31 GMT

I love all of it. Some pieces look vaguely familiar like my mom or grandma had them.

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

Neetgal2 — Fri, 03 May 2024 00:51:21 GMT

My Mom liked Milk glass. I remember her collecting it in the 50s. She did have lamps which I have now. I have a few other pieces, not all from my mom, but other people would give them to me who did not want them from their family. I have a pitcher and vegetable dish. A few years back I started collecting candleholders and bought a set of milk glass. The white milk glass goes with any holiday, I can put any color candle I want in them!

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

SandySparkles — Fri, 03 May 2024 04:21:13 GMT

@Oznell I was overcome with emotion just now, as my dear mother had an affinity for milk glass!💝 These charming photos brought back such SWEET memories!❤ She had a butter dish, several cake stands, ash tray, a pitcher that was used mainly for punch, a vase and other pieces that escape me at the moment!🥰 I have not thought of those items in MANY sunsets, and am SO comforted right now!❤❤

My ABSOLUTE favorite here is the pretty floral vignette! The elegant centerpiece in BEAUTIFUL complementary shades of pink❤, peach and cream and use of the unpredicted dainty white milk glass teacups, adds a bit of charming whimsy to the table; thus elevating an otherwise classic look! 😊 OUTSTANDING!!!👍

THANK you SO much for caring to share these AMAZING photos with us and the memories it evoked!🤗

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

cimeranrose — Fri, 03 May 2024 02:55:17 GMT

@Oznell , you are speaking my DH's language, LOL. He collects milk glass...I'm afraid we have over 75 pieces...this past year I've told DH, we don't need anymore!

DH's mother and grandmother had a large collection of milk glass. He inherited a few pieces from his mother (mostly ones he had gifted her). I know the milk glass reminds him of his mother who he was close to.

The past two summers we visited a relative who briefly lived in central PA and we would take day trips to Lewisburg, PA (known for having several good antique shops). PA is a great place to shop for milk glass because a lot of it was made in PA. DH bought a lot of milk glass over the past two summers in the Lewisburg antique shops; thankfully our relative doesn't live in PA anymore for us to visit!! LOL.

White milk glass is very versatile for decorating. We have some of the pieces you posted pictures of. I have a silk floral arrangement in one of our vases that looks pretty.

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

Sooner — Fri, 03 May 2024 03:32:07 GMT

My mom had a lot of brightly colored modern style glass, but I don't think we had any milk glass. She had those Blenko pitchers/vases, Fostoria and one giant yellow/amber vase/jug with a crackle design.

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

LindaSal — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:18:02 GMT

@Oznell Beautiful pictures! I adore that owl in the second picture! My mom had a beautiful vase and I remember it well. It was always on a side table with flowers in it......so pretty. I don't know whatever happened to it sadly. Nice memories though.

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

FastDogWalker2 — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:45:17 GMT

I have just one of the candlesticks pictured in #5 - it was my Great Aunt's. Like you, my mom had a lot of milk glass and also Fenton glass. Happy memories!

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

GinaV24 — Fri, 03 May 2024 13:26:35 GMT

Oh @Oznell how beautiful that milk glass is. I have some pieces that were my Mom's. I don't ever use them for food because I think they probably do contain lead. I'll try that flick test for the "ring" and see.

Those compositions of milk glass with cobalt are wonderful and I really like the compotes used for decorating for winter! What an awesome way to use these pieces. I am so glad you explained that one piece was for bananas. I'd never have known otherwise. It is a really unique looking item.

So much fun to read your posts.

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

AuntG — Fri, 03 May 2024 13:28:27 GMT

No fond memories, but I do have two larger pieces that I bring out. I'm not sure how my mother acquired them. One looks like the banana stand if you flattened it. Actually, it's a cake plate. My other piece is a big bowl. I once put shiny brite ornaments in it for a holiday centerpiece.

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

Oznell — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:13:51 GMT

Somehow, I had a feeling that milk glass would bring out wonderful personal, family stories. People seem to have such fond association with glass that they have grown up with, or just love.

I've enjoyed reading each and every reminiscence here.

As usual, @LindaSal , you and I would vie for that owl!

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

Enufstuff — Sat, 04 May 2024 17:41:27 GMT

@Oznell

In the 50s and 60s, my mother and my aunts collected Fenton milk glass. I remember that my mother liked the hobnail pieces.

When I was first married, my grandmother gave me a Fenton milk glass, oval basket. I kept it on an end table in the living room. When my daughter first started walking, she bumped into it and it fell to the floor and broke.

Now, I only have a few small pieces of milk glass that I purchased. Two are toothpick holders, one in the shape of a Fleur de Lis and the other one is an owl. The other two are Westmoreland hens on nests, a large one and a tiny one.

The two hen dishes are in my kitchen on a Hoosier cabinet.

In the large one, I keep Jordan almonds.

I also love that cute owl pitcher, shown with the milk glass collection in the aqua hutch. That is a lovely collection and it looks beautiful with the aqua.

My favorite pictures are the basket with the two milk glass pieces and the turquoise glass plant mister, the pink roses in tea cups and the large rose arrangement in milk glass, the cobalt blue pitcher with milk glass cruet and blue and white platter, the pieces arranged with pine cones and the dolphin candle holders and fruit compote set.

Thank you for posting these lovely pictures and bringing back a memory of my mother's and aunts' collections.

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

jubilant — Sat, 04 May 2024 14:47:38 GMT

@Oznell My mother liked milk glass and it was something we could buy on special ocassions and know she would like it.

I was given an old antique cupboard for free.

It's in my kitchen and filled with some milk glass chickens along with other "ceramic" chickens. Thanks for the memories...lost mom 2 1/2 yrs. ago and I sure do miss her.

This was a nice memory for sure!

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

ThinkingOutLoud — Sat, 04 May 2024 15:58:57 GMT

Thanks for the post and pictures, @Oznell. Makes me want to find some pieces to use.

Re: A PRETTY TYPE OF GLASS

Marsha2003 — Sat, 04 May 2024 16:30:59 GMT

I remember my mother had one of those milk glass pitchers with the embossed grapes. In fact, she might still have it.