How to tell if a piece of glass is original
- Mar 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 6
Here is my guide to tell is an item is Mid-Century and original.
Not all item have the manufacturers label sometime Murano glass or Kosta glass come with a sicker with the brand name on, sometimes washed off, but remnants can be found. Some of the French glass crystal Baccarat, Daum vintage crystal comes with a makers signature usually engraved on the bottom, acid-etched marks, or raised letters normally inscribed onto the bottom of the glass which is sometimes quite hard to see at a glance.
Murano: Look for "Vetro Murano" stickers or signatures from artists like Alfredo Barbini or Venini (Venini used "Murano, Italy" acid stamps until the mid-60s).
Fenton: Used paper labels before 1973; if it has a raised "Fenton" oval logo, it is likely post-1970.
Fire-King: 1960s pieces often have the Anchor Hocking logo along with "Fire-King Ware".
To determine if glass is an original piece from the 1960s, you should look for specific manufacturing imperfections, such as pontil marks (a circular scar on the base) some Murano Glass have tiny trapped air bubbles, (usually found in older handmade glass) and slight asymmetries. Murano Glass often features gold flecks, vibrant swirled colors, and polished base.
Faint inconsistent seams can still indicate 1960s production. Also general wear in the glass, faint scratches or wear on the base can be a clear sign that the item is vintage, remember these items are sixty seventy years old and are going to have some signs of age.
The 1960s was a peak era for vibrant colours, heavy glass, and specific styles like Murano, Daum, Chzech Bohemia Glass. Bold bright colours, like avcocardo green, harvest gold, amber, and deep cobalt blue.
If a piece is too perfect, pollished or flawless finish it's likely to be a modern copy.
Key Tip: Use a tool like Google Lens on a clear picture of the bottom/pattern to compare it with verified 1960s listings.
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