One of the patterns I get questions about is Prelude from Viking, a lovely design with a center palm leaf motif that reminds me of clasped hands. Over the next few weeks’ posts let’s look at some elegant etched patterns that have center medallions.
Our series will cover Prelude, Cambridge Diana, New Martinsville Florentine, all patterns with a clasping hands motif, plus some favorites like Rose Point and similar designs like Tiffin Cherokee Rose, June Night, then others with fan type motifs, Fostoria Versailles, Duncan Miller First Love and more. I’m looking forward to this and hope you do too!
Let’s take a quick look at Prelude today, and continue with this lovely pattern next week.
I’ve seen Prelude noted as from New Martinsville but this is likely not correct. New Martinsville was reorganized into Viking Glass in 1944. There aren’t a lot of reference books covering New Martinsville in depth and the one I own by James Measell says that Viking developed Prelude after 1944 and used Radiance, Janice and Teardrop blanks.
Prelude has a lovely design of two curved laurel branches that curve to form a wreath such as Roman generals wore for triumphs. There are two shorter branches at the base of the wreath and the full design is flanked by C-shaped stylized flower sprays. It’s pretty and effective and once you are familiar with it you’ll surely notice it in antique malls.
This piece is a small lemon plate or bon bon with pretty turned-up sides and handles. The pattern is somewhat simpler on this small a piece.
One of the fun things about Prelude is the very great number of pieces you can find. Viking put this popular etch on several blanks including Teardrop as shown in this bowl. You can surely mix and match the blanks or stick to just one if you prefer.
Consider Prelude for stemware too, as well as lovely accessory pieces such as candy dishes or candle sticks. Several fanciful lines in the depression era are stunning with this pretty pattern and you might find pieces in colored glass plus crystal.
Both of the center handled servers from Viking reorganization have curved handles that complement the curved line in the etch.
Next post let’s look at more blanks with Prelude including stemware. Then the week after we can consider availability and price.