Blue Opalescent Cruet, Brocade/Spanish Lace Pattern, Northwood Glass Company, c. 1899

Stunning Blue Opalescent Glass Cruet.

This lovely handblown glass cruet, with an applied reeded handle, was made by the Northwood Glass Company around 1899.  We believe the pattern is Brocade/Spanish Lace., providing an evocative Victorian vibe suitable to the time of its creation.  The opalescent glass, so incredibly beautiful, is almost luminescent.

Northwood glass was made at the factories of Harry Northwood, son of a famous British glass designer.  In the United States, the Northwood Glass Company made many types and designs of glass, but is probably best know for its brilliantly colored carnival glass, produced from 1908 to 1925.  Carnival glass was only one of the highly successful Northwood products, though.  In the 1890s, its factories made blown glass in opalescent blue, like this cruet, as well as in opalescent lemon, "rubina" (red at the top and clear at the bottom), ivory (a beautiful pale type of custard glass), enamel decorated, etched, "spatter", and others.  Later, the company introduced a major series of pressed glass patterns with designs picked out in red or gold enamel.  And, Northwood is the dominant name associated with "Goofus" glass in which clear pressed glass has red, green, and gold or silver enamel covering the entire back of the patterned piece.

Sized at approximately 5 7/8" tall with a 2 1/4" base, this cruet could be used as intended, for pouring oil, or vinegar at the table.  Or, it would serve beautifully as a vase with a single stem or three.