Depression Glass Divided Relish Dish Value Guide

This 1930s three-part divided relish dish is a quintessential example of American Depression glass, featuring a subtle square shape with rounded corners. Its collectible appeal stems from its uranium dioxide content, which allows the piece to exhibit a signature neon glow under ultraviolet light.

What Is Depression Glass Divided Relish Dish Worth?

The typical price range for Depression Glass Divided Relish Dish is $35 - $40 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The intensity of the glow under UV light significantly impacts the desirability for uranium glass enthusiasts.
• Condition is critical; chips or cracks in the dividers or along the rim can lower the $35-$40 market value.
• Clarity of the green glass, as pieces with excessive cloudiness or 'sick glass' symptoms are less valuable.
• Provenance as a 1930s era premium item, such as those distributed in cereal boxes or movie theaters.

How to Identify Depression Glass Divided Relish Dish?

• Verify the presence of uranium dioxide by checking for a bright green luminescence under a UV or blacklight.
• Look for the characteristic 1930s era green tint, often referred to as 'vaseline glass' by collectors.
• Inspect the three-part internal dividers and the specific square-round hybrid silhouette typical of US mass-production.
• Check for minor manufacturing imperfections like air bubbles or straw marks, which are common in authentic period pieces.

History of Depression Glass Divided Relish Dish

Depression glass was mass-produced during the Great Depression, from the late 1920s to the 1940s, often given away as premiums in cereal boxes, at movie theaters, or sold inexpensively. The distinctive green color of 'uranium glass' or 'vaseline glass' comes from the inclusion of uranium dioxide in the glass mixture, which gives it a faint greenish-yellow glow under ultraviolet light. These pieces were practical for everyday use, and their affordability made them popular despite the economic hardships of the era. Today, they are highly sought after by collectors for their historical significance and unique luminescence.