1936–40s New Martinsville “Moondrops” Cobalt Handled Whiskey Tumblers — Pair

Details

Description

Produced between 1936 and the early 1940s, these cobalt blue handled whiskey tumblers belong to the Moondrops line introduced by … Read more Produced between 1936 and the early 1940s, these cobalt blue handled whiskey tumblers belong to the Moondrops line introduced by the New Martinsville Glass Company during the height of American Art Deco glass production.

Cobalt was a limited-run color in this series due to the high cost of blue oxide and the wartime material restrictions that curtailed colored-glass output by the early 1940s. As a result, surviving cobalt examples are considerably scarcer than their crystal and pastel counterparts.

The form—sometimes referenced in early catalogs as a handled/unhandled whiskey, cordial, or individual punch cup—is identified by its thick disc foot, spherical knop, and applied loop handle, all characteristic of the Moondrops design language. These pieces were entirely mold-blown and hand-finished, evidenced by the subtle tool marks at the handle terminals and the uniform thickness of the bowl.

New Martinsville (later reorganized as Viking Glass in 1944) produced the Moondrops line for a relatively short window, and cobalt has become one of the most collected colorways from this period. A matching pair in excellent condition, with strong color saturation and no structural wear, represents a desirable early-20th-century American glass form sought by both Depression-era and Elegant-Glass collectors.

Provenance details unknown; acquired directly from a Northern California collection.

Measures: 2.75"H x 2.25"W x 2.25"D

Weight: 7 oz

Origin: United States

Age: Mid 20th Century See less