Stunning Antique 1940s Gilded Gold Hand Blown Hand Painted Glass Pitcher For Sale

Stunning Antique 1940s Gilded Gold Hand Blown Hand Painted Glass Pitcher

Intro/Background:

have been collecting works of antique (and modern) glass for going on 50 years. I am 79 years turning 80. Through all of the years, and the HUNDREDS of pieces I’ve had the pleasure of calling a part of my collection - this pitcher is - the - most stunning, original, beautiful, and irreplaceable.

I came across this antique pitcher while living in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the mid ‘70s. At the time, the Santa Fe art world was - booming. While Native American arts and jewelry items were at the center of the Santa Fe “trend,” antiques, too, were — everywhere. In downtown Santa Fe there was a street my wife and I fittingly called “Antique Avenue.” On that single stretch of road alone, seven antique boutique stores and two antique galleries. This pitcher came from one of the two galleries: “Time in a Bottle Antique and Fine Art Gallery.” While my wife and I often frequented this stunning gallery, we seldom purchased. Putting it frankly, most of what “Time in a Bottle” had to offer was well “beyond our price range.” Truth be told? The pitcher you see here? Well… we purchased this beautiful work of antique art knowing that our planned anniversary dinner would now be a lot simpler: spaghetti and meatballs at home. That said? Though pricey, and though we’ve never actually functionally used this beautiful pitcher - it was worth it. They don’t make glassware like this anymore…. come to think of it - they don’t make much like this anymore. To myself, this pitcher is a “time capsule” of days gone by… a time where functionality was not everything. A time where people were - proud - of their work… work that would endure for ages to come.

The Pitcher Itself:

First and foremost, the solid structure of this piece. This pitcher was made entirely by hand using thick, solid, heavy gauge glass. The pitcher has a very unique shape - bowing out at the center before tapering to a squared off “opening” with little pouring chute.

The hand detailed artwork present throughout the pitcher is truly mesmerizing. A white, frosted “jigsaw puzzle” type design - intricate and complex - no two “puzzle pieces” the same - covers the pitcher from top to bottom. At the bottom, translucent crystal clear “windows” of sorts covering the base of the pitcher in entirety. What makes the design so captivating is the wear that has developed over time. With a 1940s creation date, some of the “puzzle pieces” have begun to fade, where others remain strong and striking. This creates a brilliant aura of natural contrast on the aged glass facade. My favorite element of the pitcher? The floral translucent gold enameled “band” that travel across the entirety of the vase. This “band” begins at the bottom of the handle and continues up to where the pitcher tapers to top. The translucent floral pattern, too, has beautifully aged… with elements of gold enamel still strong and vibrant, while other areas of golden gild enamel have faded. Another element of natural aging to this antique piece that makes for a highly original, stunning display piece.

Worth noting too, the pitcher elements are SOLID. Meant by this? The enamel is not flaky, nor is the white frosted design. You could aggressively scrub this pitcher and you are NOT going to lose elements of color/design. When my wife and I clean (to remove dust) we use a very mild dish soap and soft washing cloth. We also keep the water temperature cooler.

Another stunning element of this antique work of glass’s composition comes at the handle. The handle is EXQUISITELY composed… highly detailed and - seamlessly - attached. The glass is THICK, chunky, solid, and has almost a “liquid-like” aesthetic… molten glass, so to speak. The hand blown handle further elevates this antique piece to “showroom quality.”

While my wife and I never functionally used this pitcher, it is - indeed - perfectly functional.

Overall, we never imagined we would part with our treasured antique find, yet - we are getting older. At this stage in our lives, we have begun to think about what will become of our treasures when we have passed on. Our hope is that whoever this piece goes off to, they give the same love, attention, and admiration that my wife and I have given through all of the years… This piece deserves to see the light of day… it deserves to live on in new eyes for years to come!

~Please feel free to reach out in the form of an email if you would like to see any additional photos, or if you have any further questions. I will get back to you promptly!

Dimensions/Specs:

9” Tall by 6.5” wide (at widest point). Top opening is 4” across.

Weight: 2 lbs 7.0 OZ