An agate glass sweetmeat dish

An Agate Glass Sweetmeat Dish – Decorative Bowls

This unusual agate glass sweetmeat dish, dating from the early 20th century, represents the imaginative decorative style prevalent in North American glassware of the period. Embodying the playful motifs and accomplished craftsmanship for which early 20th-century decorative bowls are renowned, this piece is a striking example of Westmoreland artistry.

Origin: North America, attributed to the Westmoreland Glass Company, Grapeville, Pennsylvania

Date: Circa 1930

Material: Agate glass

Dimensions: Height 15 cm (5.9 ins)

Condition: Excellent, exhibiting a fine surface with no apparent restorations.

Such decorative bowls, especially those crafted by the esteemed Westmoreland Glass Company, are highly regarded amongst collectors for their distinctive forms and vibrant motifs. Westmoreland, established in Grapeville due to the area’s plentiful natural gas, was celebrated for its innovative use of opaque and opalescent glass. This sweetmeat dish’s lively sealife motifs and whimsical design echo broader trends in American art glass of the 1930s, with similar examples found in both private and public collections of early 20th-century decorative glassware.

Notable Features:

• Exceptional craftsmanship is evident in the intricate detailing of the sealife ornamentation, which encircles the entire dish.
• The remarkable design is both inventive and harmonious, with the cover neatly surmounted by a delicate shell and the bowl standing proudly on a tripod of dolphins, blending naturalistic motifs with playful artistry.
• As a piece attributed to the Westmoreland Glass Company, it holds significant collecting value for those seeking rare and unusual forms within the decorative bowls category, especially in agate glass and opaline glass collections.
• Its compact yet sculptural form makes it equally suitable for display, as a focal point in a vintage glass collection, or as a charming accent on a side table or cabinet.

For discerning collectors seeking a rare example of 20th-century decorative bowls, or enthusiasts of glass artistry, this agate glass sweetmeat dish offers both historic relevance and decorative appeal. Its combination of artistry, provenance, and versatile display potential ensures lasting value and enjoyment.