Milk Glass Covered Butter Dish Value Guide

This vintage American milk glass butter dish from the 1930s-1950s era is a classic example of mid-century decorative tableware. Its combination of an ornate dome and a delicate reticulated edge plate makes it a highly sought-after piece for collectors of opaque glassware.

What Is Milk Glass Covered Butter Dish Worth?

The typical price range for Milk Glass Covered Butter Dish is $40 - $60 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the reticulated edge, as the delicate openwork is prone to chipping or 'flea bites'.
• The presence of both the original ornate dome and the matching base plate, as married pieces reduce collector value.
• The purity and brightness of the milk glass color, with values typically ranging between $40 and $60 for pristine examples.

How to Identify Milk Glass Covered Butter Dish?

• Check for the distinct reticulated or 'lattice' edge on the base plate, a hallmark of mid-century American milk glass.
• Examine the opacity of the white glass; authentic pieces from 1930-1950 should have a consistent, milky-white finish without modern transparency.
• Look for the specific ornate molded patterns on the dome lid that match United States manufacturing styles of the era.

History of Milk Glass Covered Butter Dish

Milk glass, an opaque or translucent, milky-white or colored glass, has been produced for over four centuries. It gained immense popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often used to create decorative tableware like this butter dish. These pieces were cherished for their delicate appearance and affordability, making elegant items accessible to many households.