Uranium Glass Epergne Value Guide

This French Victorian-era centerpiece represents the height of 19th-century dining luxury, combining ornate gilt bronze with the scientific novelty of uranium oxide. These epergnes are highly collectible for their dual-purpose design as floral displays and their striking ability to emit a bright green luminescence under UV light.

What Is Uranium Glass Epergne Worth?

The typical price range for Uranium Glass Epergne is $900 - $1,100 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The condition of the gilt bronze finish, with original fire-gilding commanding the highest prices.
• The structural integrity of the glass trumpet, as chips or cracks significantly reduce the $900-$1100 valuation.
• The intensity of the opalescence and the vibrancy of the glass color under standard and UV lighting.
• Provenance and confirmation of French origin, which adds a premium compared to unsigned Victorian glass pieces.

How to Identify Uranium Glass Epergne?

• Verify the presence of a trumpet-shaped opalescent glass vase characteristic of the 1880-1900 period.
• Check for a genuine gilt bronze base, which should show fine French casting details rather than modern plated metal.
• Use a 365nm UV light to confirm the distinct neon green glow caused by uranium oxide content.
• Inspect the glass for hand-blown characteristics like a pontil mark or slight variations in the opalescence.

History of Uranium Glass Epergne

Epergnes became popular in the 18th century as elaborate table centerpieces, designed to hold fruits, sweets, or flowers. This particular epergne features uranium glass, which gained popularity in the Victorian era due to its distinctive greenish-yellow hue and the eerie glow it emits under ultraviolet light, a characteristic attributed to the small amount of uranium oxide used in its production.