Hand-Blown Crackle Glass Pitchers (Art Glass / Studio Craft)
Likely made in:
-
USA (Pilgrim Glass, Blenko, Kanawha, Rainbow, Chalet)
or
-
Italy (Empoli region)
Crackle glass is created by plunging the hot glass into cold water, causing surface cracking, then reheating to seal the cracks. The clear pulled handles and applied feet are classic studio techniques.
These were very popular from:
1950s–1980s
1. OLIVE GREEN PITCHER (Left)
Characteristics:
- Wide, conical / bell-shaped body
- Clear applied handle
- Pronounced crackle texture
- Flared lip
This shape was famously used by:
-
Pilgrim Glass (West Virginia)
-
Kanawha Glass
-
Rainbow Glass Co.
Most closely resembles Pilgrim’s 1960s crackle series.
2. AMBER / HONEY PITCHER (Center)
This one has the most “Empoli-style” shape:
- Rounded body
- Applied crystal handle
- Medium crackle
- Amber was the most popular crackle glass color produced in both Italy and the U.S.
This shape is very typical of:
-
Empoli, Italy (1960s)
but also seen from Pilgrim.
3. COBALT BLUE PITCHER (Right)
This is the most desirable color of the three.
Features:
- Long neck
- Flattened bulbous base
- Clear “ring scroll” handle (pulled and tooled by hand)
- Strong, deep crackle texture
Cobalt crackle pieces were made by:
-
Pilgrim Glass
-
Kanawha
-
Blenko (less common in this exact form)
The shape and handle are extremely close to Pilgrim’s 1970s crackle pitchers.
$100 for all three or $40 individually.
