The Kovels on Milk Glass

Ralph and Terry Kovel explain milk glass for us.

Milk glass, an opaque white glass, was of course named for its color.

The thick white glass was first popular from 1870 to 1880. It regained popularity in the 1920s and '30s, then in the 1950s to '80s.

Glass factories made thousands of covered dishes, pitchers, small trays and even figurines. But the descriptive terms "blue milk glass" or "black milk glass" are now used for some colored glass.

Milk glass was made in many colors in the United States and Europe, especially France. The pieces are similar enough to be confusing.

Portieux and Vallerysthal are two French names that appear on some colored milk glass made in the 20th century. The two companies merged in the 1970s.

There's so much junk out there, that it's good to see someone try to talk up the better stuff. Unfortunately, there will always be too much mismarked stuff available at the low end of the market.