Sunday, August 24, 2008

Goofus Glass---So ugly, it's cute

I think Goofus Glass is so ugly, it's cute! I've got a cute little bright yellow Goofus Glass vase sitting on my computer desk, as shown in my Saturday, 8/23/08 post titled "Where Bloggers Create" Tour. There was a comment asking what a goofus vase was and requesting a close-up, so here goes......


Goofus Glass can be pretty gaudy! It comes in really bright colors like red, gold, green, bronze, etc, and the paint starts flaking after a while because it was cold-painted (painted but not fired). In fact, someone currently has a listing on eBay of my little vase, only in the original colors (read on for more about my yellow paint probably not being original) and they said it looked like something from the Adams Family (ha! ha!).



The vases which I've seen that are like mine----only 5-1/4" tall, with a raised rosebud design--were usually painted a bright, funky shade of pink, with gold. I'm thinking that my bright yellow paint is not original because it's all on the inside of the vase and also because of the color (the red that is showing in the photos is actually something in the background showing through the vase where the color has flaked off). I bet the original paint was flaking off and someone scrubbed it all off and somehow painted the inside. What do you think? I'm not an expert or anything, so this is just a guess. I would love to get your opinion.



I started liking Goofus Glass years ago when I bought a large red & gold vase; later, I bought one of those antiques guides about Goofus Glass to read up on it, as I had never heard of it. I bought this cutie for a mere pittance at an antiques mall in Waxahachie a few years ago and it's been on my desk ever since.



A little history of Goofus Glass:

From what I've read, most Goofus Glass dates from the period of about ten to fifteen years around the turn of the last century, (1897 to around 1912) although it continued to be produced into the 1920s. It was made by several prominent American factories, especially Indiana Glass. It was made in large quantities and was cheap and affordable.

It was also given as premiums for buying things and was awarded as prizes at fairs and thus, was actually the first "carnival glass" prior to the iridescent glass referred to as Carnival Glass today!

10 comments:

Nola said...

I saw that on your tour Sunday, but didn't know what Goofus Glass was. I can't believe I've never seen it (or never noticed it), I will be looking for it now that I'm "in the know".
BTW, I see what time you are posting, did you schedule the post for that time, or are you off today?

Melissa said...

Thanks for explaining and for giving us a larger image. I understand the appeal of so ugly it is cute. ;)

Carla said...

Thats interesting! But why would some one purposely paint it that yellow? jk Seriously I really like the raised roses. Thanks for sharing!

Carla said...

SHAME ON YOU! I went to ebay and looked, and now I'm looking for a good spot to put some goofus glass PLATES!!! No Carla No! (at least not til payday;)

Anonymous said...

When do I blog? I probably should be known as the "Midnight Blogger"!---I usually don't get a chance to blog till after 10 pm!! (even later if on the weekends!)I started this Goofus Glass post as a draft Sun evening (which I guess is why it assigned that date), then added to the draft the next evening, added photos the evening after that , then finally posted the next evening! (It would be nice to do in all 1 sitting, but sometimes a little here & there are better than nothing & otherwise, I probably wouldn't get many done). Guess I should change the date to the time I actually send it through from draft to final (never really thought about it before---Hmmmm.....thanks to your comment for making me think--I learn something new about blogging every day!) I have been known to use the scheduling feature some. It was really nice when our office was closed recently for a couple of weeks--lots of blogging during vacation time! I'm doing this comment during my lunch break & I've even been known to blog before leaving for work! Guess you could say I'm a blogger on the run! I think it's really interesting to find out when different people blog...Patti

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

I'm with you--I imagine someone has redone the paint job because most of the goofus glass I have seen have bright gaudy colors. Great picture--thanks for sharing.

CurtissAnn said...

I appreciate you giving the info/history on this Goofus Glass. Interesting!

Carla said...

Me, again, do you think there was a layer of red to go behind that yellow? That would really make those roses pop. Thank you for sharing your goofy glass. I have really enjoyed recognizing it!

kandi lauzara said...

I bought a piece of this stuff to go in my store , I was surfing , looking for some info and your blog popped up. I was
told it is called funny glass. He didn't know I guess. I found a picture and price and some more info on this page http://www.tias.com/8731/PictPage/3923520058.html
I hope this helps
kandi

kandi lauzara said...
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