Greek Key Needle Etched Crystal Stem
This is one of my finds from antiquing at a brick and mortar antique mall. I have no idea what it is but it’s a neat design and an interesting shape. I thought it made a wonderful stem for a wedding gala or formal dinner or New Year’s Eve.
The picture isn’t the best, is it, but after several dozen attempts it’s about as good as it’s going to get so I’ll try to describe the pattern
The little squares you can just make out are a Greek key motif, sort of a square spiral that connects together in a band. There are two thin lines on either side of the band.
This is a needle etch. Do not try this at home.
Glass companies developed needle etches before plate etches became more common. The glass workers coated the stem with wax, then used a sharp needle with a pattern to cut through the wax. They dunked the stem in acid which ate away the glass where the needle had made a design, removed the wax, cleaned it up a bit and had a piece of stemware with a nifty design.
Needle etched patterns were eclipsed by the more ornate plate etchings and that’s too bad. There are beautiful needle etched designs. You will find simplicity and graceful lines, often curlicues and scrolls, with needle etches. My grandmother had some Fostoria Sherman stems and my dad gave me her goblets, wines and sherbets several years ago for Christmas. The graceful loops look like wedding cakes.
I don’t know what the design on this champagne sherbet is. Even Replacements didn’t know. Like almost all my pieces this is in my store for sale, but it’s one that I can’t say much about other than it’s a pretty piece, obviously vintage and it would be great for a party, especially one where you serve champagne!
Shopping Information: We have these stems listed in our store Cat Lady Kate’s Elegant and Depression Glass. A pair is $19.99.