Depression Glass Butter Dish Value Guide

This 1930s blue Depression glass butter dish is a quintessential piece of American history, originally distributed as a premium during the Great Depression. Its vibrant cobalt or delphite hue and intricate floral base pattern make it a highly sought-after example of mass-produced functional art.

What Is Depression Glass Butter Dish Worth?

The typical price range for Depression Glass Butter Dish is $25 - $35 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition is paramount; chips on the inner rim of the domed lid or base significantly reduce the $25-$35 valuation.
• The clarity and saturation of the blue pigment, as deeper or more unique shades often command higher prices.
• The presence of both the original base and the matching lid, as married pieces are less valuable to collectors.
• The intricacy and preservation of the molded floral pattern on the bottom of the dish.

How to Identify Depression Glass Butter Dish?

• Look for the characteristic domed lid designed specifically to fit the floral-etched base.
• Check for small bubbles or 'straw marks' within the glass, which are common manufacturing artifacts from the 1929-1939 era.
• Verify the specific shade of blue, as authentic Depression-era glass has a distinct translucency compared to modern reproductions.
• Examine the floral pattern for the molded relief style typical of United States glass houses from the 1930s.

History of Depression Glass Butter Dish

Depression glass was mass-produced in the United States during the Great Depression, roughly from 1929 to 1939. These inexpensive, colorful glass items were often given away as premiums or prizes at movie theaters, gas stations, or as packaging for food products. Despite their original low cost, their unique colors and patterns have made them highly collectible today.