We are pleased to showcase this first of an outstanding estate collection of antique & vintage glass cruets from some of the finest glass houses in America. This first example is a stunning blue Jewelled Heart pattern cruet from Dugan Glass ca. 1905 to 1910. Subsequent to William Heacocks publication of the Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass (Book #6 Oil Cruets From A-Z) in 1981 + 1992 value update, it has been verified that this eventual classic Carnival beaded with stylized Fleur de Lis pattern was indeed a Northwood original mold, acquired when Dugan took control of the National Glass Plant #1 in January of 1904. This is the scarcest style, showing traces of the original gold gilding on the medallion perimeter beading, but does not have its original onion stopper. These Jewelled Heart cruets were prominently displayed in the Butler Bros. catalogs from 1905 through 1909. This is a valuable early Edwardian antique collectible. Research consulted: Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass Book #6 Oil Cruets From A-Z, AND Book #3 Syrups, Sugar Shakers & Cruets From A to Z / both by William Heacock; Cruets Cruets Volumes 1 & 2 / by Elaine Ezell and George Newhouse; Harry Northwood The Wheeling Years 1901-1925 / by William Heacock, James Measell, and Berry Wiggins; Dugan / Diamond The Story of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Glass / by William Heacock, James Measell , and Berry Wiggins
In September of 1899, the Northwood Company of Indiana, PA., was incorporated into the new Giant National Glass Company, and after seeing to their affairs, in October of that same year, Harry and Carl Northwood and their families sailed for England. The former owners of the Northwood Company were Thomas and Anne Dugan and Harry and Clara Elizabeth Northwood. 1899 was a momentous year for the new entity, which was named the Northwood Glass Works of the National Glass Company. It is important to note that during this time period all of the Northwood molds stayed at the site, and were available for use by the National Glass Company, so technically speaking, it was still Northwood Glass even though Harry Northwood was in England and not involved any way with the operation. During the great year from 1899 to 1900, famous patterns such as Opaline Brocade (later called Spanish Lace), Venetian, Pagoda, & Inverted Fan and Feather glass lines were introduced. In 1901 in the G. Sommers and Co. catalog listed a new National Glass ⿿Coralene Rose Bowl. Coralene normally refers to tiny fine processed round or oblong glass beads which are attached with syrup, and then reheated to melt the glass beds to the glass substrate. There is a major distinction between Coralene beads & actual pounded glass Frit. The use of a syrup fixative allows for very low reheat temperatures, allowing the Coralene to maintain the intended forms, yet not flow or liquefy. Frits must achieve ~ 90% liquification to achieve the cohesive bond between the relief and the substrate.
Plant #1 of the giant National Glass Company carried the Northwood name until 1903, when sinking fortunes forced a divestiture of the facility by National, and this was seized upon by present employees & the Dugan family, including Thomas and Anne Dugan, and in January of 1904 the Dugan Glass Company was formed. When Harry Northwood left, Harry Bastow took over as Superintendent and Thomas E. A. Dugan (a long time Northwood employee) and Harrys 2nd cousin took over as factory manager. Mr. Barstow left by August 1900 to become the President of the newly formed Jefferson Glass Company of Steubenville, OH., and Mr. Harry White Jr. succeeded Mr. Bastow as Superintendent, very shortly thereafter to be replaced by Thomas E. A. Dugan. The sale of the plant by National to Dugan included many molds as well as the current inventory of glass on hand. The molds included both Northwood and National Glass molds. |
