Antique Hand Cut Crystal Pitcher Tumbler Glass Set American Brilliant Period by Meriden- 6 Pieces

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American Brilliant Period (ABP) Cut Crystal Set of 6

American Brilliant Period ranged approximately from 1876 to WW1. It is … Read more American Brilliant Period (ABP) Cut Crystal Set of 6

American Brilliant Period ranged approximately from 1876 to WW1. It is coming up on its 100 year Anniversary. Hand blown into iron molds ‘a blank’ and then hand cut by artisans over numerous labor intensive hours. Imagine working near a 2400 degree furnace in the early 1900’s! These artisans came over from Europe during that time in history and often ‘apprenticed’ for 8 years.

This antique pitcher set by Meriden of Connecticut is in excellent condition which includes 3 matching tumblers in the Sorosis pattern and 2 in Mayflower.

Sorosis pattern highlights the flower-small punties or cuts in the petals of the flowers that catch light and sparkle. The petals are cut and left matte providing contrast in design to the punties. Leaves on vine wrap around the pitcher massively filling the negative space as in nature. Additional elements -waffle, diamond & divot band for the neck of the pitcher. The spout and handle are also hand cut incorporated in the entire design.

The 2 additional tumblers with similar floral motif included in this set-finely cut petals with hobstar center. Best match suggests Meriden Mayflower pattern-cutting #270


Designer Thomas A. Shanley
Circa 1915-1920
Meriden did not sign their glass.



Excerpts from www.cutglass.org which provides excellent historical background to today.

“Many are familiar with names as Baccarat, Lalique, Orrefors, St. Louis, Val St. Lambert, and Waterford. Equally famous names: Dorflinger, Egginton, Hawkes, Hoare, Jewel, Libbey, Meriden, Sinclaire, and Tuthill. All of the former are foreign, all of the latter are American of the American Brilliant Period.

‘Cut Glass’ is crystal that has been decorated entirely by hand by use of rotating wheels. Cuts are made in an otherwise completely smooth surface of the glass by artisans holding and moving the piece against various sized metal or stone wheels. Cut glass can be traced to 1,500 B.C in Egypt.

American companies showed their beautiful home decor and furnishings at our nations 100th birthday at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Stunning new patterns stood out against earlier European designs .Cutting shops proliferated to meet the demand for fine pieces of cut glass being sought by wealthy American households. Meriden was one of 9 significant companies forming the American Brilliant Cut Glass Period.

The cutting is brilliant because it is sharp and deep, reflecting light from highly polished surfaces. It is deep because it was made from leaded crystal that was beautiful in its clarity even though thick enough to be cut in high relief. Imaginative designers improved upon traditional motifs, arranging them in varying ways to provide for optimum reflective surfaces.”

Thank you’s to and research obtained from the 1918 Meriden Catalog, a compilation of Meriden glassworks 1905-1922, cut glass.org, provided by the American Cut Glass Association and its members.

Pitcher 11" tall x 5.5" base
Glasses approximately 3.75 tall x3” wide
Being hand blown all vary in height by 1/16”

Weighs 9 lbs. See less