Today I would like to say a few things about "goofus glass", a fairly common and affordable collectible that you have probably seen before. I think of goofus glass as the unpopular stepsister of mercury glass, the gaudy red and tarnished gold beauty that looks out of place in the pastel landscape of shabby chic. I'm a little partial to goofus glass, because I have been collecting it for about 18 years.
Goofus glass was made by several American glass companies in the first 30 or so years of the twentieth century. It was typically a pressed crystal (clear) glass that was "cold-painted" with gold metallic, red, and green paint. It was sometimes called "Mexican glass" because of this color combination. The vases, plates, platters, bowls and other forms were given away at carnivals as prizes (not to be confused with carnival glass, which has a fired iridescent surface).
How did the name "goofus" originate? The glass companies that produced it did not dub it "goofus", but because of the poor longevity of the cold-paint process on utilitarian pieces, legend has it that people began wondering aloud that the glass manufacturers were trying to "goof us" by selling ware that would so quickly show wear!
One good thing about goofus glass is that it has not been reproduced, as far as I know. That's because it has never been popular enough for the demand to increase. Martha Stewart hasn't written about it in her magazine yet! I'm hoping that could change in the future. Martha, are you reading this?
If you decide you want to add a little goofus to your life, you should be able to walk into any antique mall and find at least 10 pieces of it, usually priced from $20 to $30 for common items such as plates and bowls. Antique dealers at shows or flea markets will probably be willing to negotiate on their price, because, well, goofus is just not a fast-mover.
Once you get your treasure home, you might have an urge to wash your new acquisition. Whoa there! Just as we have come to accept the fact that we don't put bananas in the refrigerator, we must remember not to submerge our goofus in water, for that will loosen the golden paint, and you will not be pleased! Goofus does, however, have a tendency to store dust in its crevices, and in order to remove the dust I use a baby's hairbrush. A soft toothbrush will also work to flick the dust, but you will soon realize you are fighting a losing battle and just set it on your shelf! Now give yourself a pat on the back for giving a lonely piece of goofus glass a good home!
Very nice article.
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someone as creative and
informative at the
same time, just like you.
I love your works!
Posted by: Sell Antique Furniture | 06/22/2010 at 12:32 PM