Posts about Colonial Depression Glass
Clear Depression Glass Stemware – Hocking Colonial Knife & Fork
Hocking Glass made Colonial from 1934 to 1936 in green, crystal, pink and some Vitrock white glass, even a couple Royal Ruby pieces. It’s a very large pattern, including full dinnerware, tumblers and stems and some serving pieces. The pieces have a heavy, substantial look to them with strong vertical lines. Collectors nicknamed this Knife and Fork at one time.
Per my Gene Florence reference book Hocking made every piece except a smaller sherbet in green, most pieces in crystal and pink. Florence notes the pink is quite scarce and that crystal is easier to find and less costly than the colors. The only piece we ever owned is the small footed tumbler shown at the top.
We saw pieces at glass shows including this nice display of pink, green and crystal in the 2013 Michigan Depression Glass show. The tumblers, cup and saucers and large bowl in the front are all Colonial. Note the strong vertical lines in this pattern. It reminds me of some of the older glass from the late Victorian era.
You’ll notice the display has are several stems and tumblers. Hocking made at least 9 tumblers, some footed and some flat, ranging from a tiny whiskey holding 1 1/2 ounces to a lemonade holding 15 ounces. There are multiple pitchers, with and without ice lip that hold 54 ounces or 68 ounces.
Hocking made stemware for cordials, cocktail, wine, claret and water. (Claret goblets hold more than the wine goblets.) You’ll notice the piece in the top photo is labeled a footed tumbler, not a goblet or stem. From what I can see in photos the goblets have longer, smooth stems and the footed pieces have lumps around their short stems.
You can find a full dinnerware set, dinner plates, side bowls and plates, cups, saucers, sherbets and several serving pieces including butter dish, cheese dish, pitchers, platters, serving bowls. It was not real common in mid-Michigan when we were buying glass (1999-2015 or so), and you might want to look online if you don’t find the pieces you want browsing antique malls or estate sales.
Be aware that Colonial’s ridges can get chipped, especially if pieces are stacked. Check the rims and along the edges of the base and also check the pattern lines for nicks or roughness. Colonial has been popular a long time and many pieces were used and enjoyed, thus show wear.