Central Glass Thistle Etched Crystal Cocktail Vintage Stemware

I’m partial to Central Glass etched patterns – they have a flowing grace you can see on this cocktail stem.  Central went out of business in the early depression years and all their beautiful glass is but a memory.

If you like this etch, you are in good company.  President and Mrs. Harding used this crystal for their every day glassware in the 1920s at the White House.  (One of the Harding’s other glass patterns, also by Central, has griffens and flowing swags and scrolls, and is called Harding.)

Pretty little cocktail is small, only about 4 inches tall and holds about 3 ounces.  It’s a nice size for a apertif or after dinner cocktail or brandy.  I have stems this size from my parents that I use for Irish Mist.  The right glass makes a difference.  It makes your evening more special to drink out of a vintage glass that you know will never be made again.

Imperial Glass got many molds and remade some patterns, but not this one.  This is Thistle etch.  Tiffin made a similar etched pattern, also called Thistle.  This particular little stem is Central’s, line number 1241.

I try to carry Central Glass but have only a few lines, this one, plus a few pieces of Floral Trumpets and Etch 404 Leaf and Border and Scott’s Morning Glory stemware. I’m going to add a search box for TIAS and an eBay listing selection at the end of this article. The eBay selection may have some oddball listings included since I ran it open for Central Glass. Both are affiliate links.

Frances Amber Elegant Depression Glass Cake Plate by Central

Isn’t this a neat piece of amber depression glass?   Our readers may know we try to carry Central Glass patterns and this is their Frances pattern. Frances is one of the patterns that you can find in depression glass books, such as those by Gene Florence but Central is usually considered a maker of elegant glass.

Regardless how you want to classify it, Frances is a very interesting, attractive pattern. I got this particular piece on eBay. It was listed as Block Optic but there were still several bidders. Unfortunately there’s quite a bit of wear on the surface that you don’t really see because of the pattern.

The design is elongated raised diamond shapes with insets between. The color is the best part, a deep rich amber shade with a tint of reddish orange, almost a light rust. I was glad I bought this although I’m not happy about the condition.

Take a look at the other Central Glass items listed today on eBay; these are from many sellers besides me.

Central Glass Scott's Morning Glory Etched Vintage Pink Goblet Stemware

This is an incredible piece of glass and I’m still amazed that it’s mine!  Beautiful goblet is the Scott’s Morning Glory etch number 5 from Central Glass.  Vintage etched stemware is one of my favorite things and this is not only beautiful shade of pink it’s a gorgeous etch with morning glories dangling from vines circling the top.  

Scott’s Morning Glory is a very rare pattern and here we have it not only in pink but in a goblet!  Wow.  

My daughter loves to search eBay for unusual etched glass and this is one that she spotted.  Thank you, Deidra!  I’m blessed to have my daughter enjoy what I do.  My daughter is tops!

Central Glass made some amazing glass until they closed in the early part of the depression.  The Balda etched bowl a couple posts ago was theirs too.

We specialize in a few makers of elegant glass, including Central Glass.