Chinese Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
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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.
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Vintage Chinese Glass
Shown here is glassware made in China that I would class as vintage, i.e. made before the year 2000. Most of these are likely from the mid-century / retro era, 1950's - 1970's.
The Dalian Glass Co - Snowflakes & Lotus Flower
A white glass "Lotus Flower" vase with dark red and orange swirls, made in China, by The Dalian Glass Co. Ltd, circa 1950's - 1980's. Labelled "Lotus Flower, Made in China".
Reference: [click here].
A white glass "Lotus Flower" vase with dark red and orange swirls, made in China, by The Dalian Glass Co. Ltd, circa 1950's - 1980's, labelled.
A pale blue glass "Snowflakes" vase with dark blue and amber swirls, made in China, by The Dalian Glass Co. Ltd, circa 1950's - 1980's, labelled.
A pale blue glass "Lotus Flower" or "Snowflakes" vase with multicoloured swirls, made in China, by The Dalian Glass Co. Ltd, circa 1950's - 1980's.
A white glass "Lotus Flower" or "Snowflakes" cylinder vase with dark blue and orange swirls, made in China, by The Dalian Glass Co. Ltd, circa 1950's - 1980's.
An orange glass "Lotus Flower" or "Snowflakes" vase with dark blue and brown swirls, made in China, by The Dalian Glass Co. Ltd, circa 1950's - 1980's.
Plum Blossom
An orange glass "Plum Blossom" vase with applied flower decoration and internal white casing. Made in China, circa 1970's, labelled "Plum Blossom, Made in China".
Reference: [click here].
An red glass "Plum Blossom" vase with applied flower decoration and internal white casing. Made in China, circa 1970's, labelled "Plum Blossom, Made in China".
A blue glass "Plum Blossom" vase with applied flower decoration and internal white casing.
A green glass "Plum Blossom" bamboo shaped hooped vase with internal white casing. Made in China, circa 1970's.
Reference: [click here].
A blue glass "Plum Blossom" bamboo shaped hooped vase with internal white casing. Made in China, circa 1970's.
Reference: [click here].
Crystal Brand
A blue and clear glass basket shaped sculpture bowl or vase. Made in China, sold by Crystal Brand. Labelled "Crystal Brand, Made in China". From the style and label I would estimate the date at circa 1970's.
A red and clear glass basket shaped sculpture bowl or vase. Made in China, sold by Crystal Brand.
A red and clear glass basket shaped sculpture bowl or vase. Made in China, sold by Crystal Brand.
A green and clear glass basket shaped sculpture bowl or vase. Made in China, sold by Crystal Brand.
Vertical Stripes
A pair of orange and white striped glass vases with applied clear decoration. Can be found with labels that read "Made in Taiwan, Republic of China". Often mistaken for Murano or Czech glass.
Reference: [click here].
Other Vintage Chinese Glass
A green textured glass decorative "Genie" bottle and matching glasses, with comical car design. Marked "Made in Taiwan" on the base of the glasses.
View more Chinese Glass examples in our Glass Reference Database
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Chinese Glass on eBay UK
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Reference Websites
www.glasspheme.com - Interesting article on Chinese made sommerso teardrop paperweights being sold as Murano.