Mercury Glass Footed Vase Value Guide

This mid-to-late 19th-century Bohemian footed vase represents the Victorian era's 'poor man's silver,' offering a luxurious aesthetic through double-walled glass construction. Its tall pedestal design and flared rim showcase the technical mastery of silver nitrate injection used between 1840 and 1890.

What Is Mercury Glass Footed Vase Worth?

The typical price range for Mercury Glass Footed Vase is $80 - $100 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and integrity of the original seal at the bottom, which prevents further oxidation of the silvering.
• The degree of silvering loss; while some distressing is expected, excessive 'ghosting' can lower the value below the $80-$100 range.
• The complexity of the footed pedestal shape and the symmetry of the flared rim.
• The clarity of the outer glass layer and the absence of chips or cracks in the delicate double-walled structure.

How to Identify Mercury Glass Footed Vase?

• Examine the base for a sealed pontil mark or plug where the silvering solution was originally injected.
• Verify the double-walled construction by looking at the rim to see the distinct gap between the glass layers.
• Look for authentic 'flaking' or oxidation of the silver nitrate layer, which creates a characteristic mottled or distressed interior appearance.
• Check for the weight; authentic antique mercury glass is surprisingly light due to the hollow space between the glass walls.

History of Mercury Glass Footed Vase

Mercury glass, also known as silvered glass, was first developed in Bohemia in the 1840s. It was created by blowing a double-walled glass vessel and injecting a silvering solution, typically a mixture of silver nitrate, between the layers, which was then sealed, often at the base. Highly popular during the Victorian era, it offered the affluent appearance of sterling silver decorative objects at a much lower cost. The distinctive degradation of the silvering seen in this example is a common characteristic of age.