Chinese Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
Back to Glass Encyclopedia Home
This section of the encyclopaedia is for Chinese glass, including glass made in Taiwan. There is a surprising amount of vintage glassware, found in the UK and elsewhere, that is often mistaken for Italian/Murano glass, or Scandinavian glass, but was in fact made in China. There is also a vast amount of modern glass produced in China, using popular Murano glassmaking techniques such as sommerso, which can easily be mistaken for, and sometimes purposefully misdescribed as, Murano glass. This Murano style, Chinese made glass used to be quite easy to spot to the experienced collector or dealer, as they contained many production flaws, and often certain features could give them away, such as a frosted, unpolished base, compared to the shiny, highly polished base found on most genuine Murano glass. However in more recent years, the quality of some of these items have improved greatly, and it can be very difficult to spot the difference. This guide aims to help with the identification of Chinese glass.
Buy Chinese Glass Products in our Online Glass Store
Modern Chinese Glass
Shown here is glassware made in China in more recent, modern times, i.e. after the year 2000. Many of the items listed here can be found, or at one time could be found, on the Chinese trade website alibaba.com. We may refer to these listings where possible to confirm Chinese origin, but please note these links may become broken over time as listings on the Alibaba site are ended, or products are discontinued.
Sommerso Paperweights
A purple and amber sommerso glass teardrop shaped paperweight. Made in China, the teardrop shape and sommerso style is typical of Chinese production. These can be found in many different colours on the Alibaba trade website. The shiny, polished base suggests more recent production than others with a dull, frosted base.
Reference: [click here].
A pink and blue sommerso glass teardrop shaped paperweight. Made in China, the teardrop shape, sommerso style and dull, frosted base finish is typical of Chinese production. These can be found in many different colours on the Alibaba trade website.
Reference: [click here].
A pink and clear sommerso glass teardrop shaped paperweight, with encased bubbles and square glass base plinth. Made in China.
An orange, green, black and white mottled glass teardrop shaped paperweight. Made in China, the teardrop shape, mottled pattern and dull, frosted base finish is typical of Chinese production. Items with the same mottle pattern can be found on the Alibaba trade website.
A green and blue sommerso glass paperweight with encased bubble. Made in China, the sommerso style and dull, frosted base finish is typical of Chinese production.
A green and blue sommerso glass paperweight. Made in China.
A pink, green and blue sommerso glass heart shaped paperweight. Made in China, the shape and sommerso style are typical of Chinese production. The shiny, polished base suggests more recent production than others with a dull, frosted base.
View more Chinese Glass examples in our Glass Reference Database
Buy Chinese Glass Products in our Online Glass Store
Chinese Glass on eBay UK
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Reference Websites
www.glasspheme.com - Interesting article on Chinese made sommerso teardrop paperweights being sold as Murano.