Mercury glass, also known as silvered glass, has a silvery appearance. Although several manufacturers attempted to line glass with mercury at one time, mercury glass does not contain any mercury. This procedure was short-lived due to mercury’s toxicity as well as its high cost, but it may explain the name.
Despite the fact that most glass collectors are not interested in mercury glass, an increasing number of antique hobbyists are becoming collectors of this type of glass. It’s also known as silvered glass, but it’s not made of silver or mercury. Instead, mercury glass is clear glass that has been mold-blown into double-walled shapes. Through a hole in the bottom, the glass is then coated on the inside with a liquid silver nitrate solution.
Mercury glass was invented in the early 1800s in Germany. Candlesticks, vases, goblets, and other objects were made of it because it was a less expensive material. In France, England, Bohemia, and the United States, silvered glass quickly became popular. At the New York Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1853, the New England Glass Company displayed a large display of glass, which included goblets, vases, spittoons, sugar basins, tumblers, and more.
Although some critics dismissed mercury glass as being too flashy and mirror-like, the majority of people found it to be very appealing. Enamel, etching, paint, and engraving were soon used to decorate silvered glass. Glass was used to make Christmas ornaments and other household decorations in the twentieth century.
Silvered glass is reasonably priced, but it is frequently flawed due to oxidation, which causes the silvered surface to flake off. The hole in the bottom allows air to enter, which is required for the silver nitrate solution, and reacts with the surface. A cork or wax plug can be placed in the hole to seal it and stop the oxidation process from continuing.
The cost of mercury glass varies greatly. At flea markets, you can find pieces for as little as a few dollars (USD) or as much as $1,000 USD. The majority of pieces in reasonable condition, on the other hand, are continuing to rise in value as the glass develops a following among collectors.