Wednesday GUEST blog

5-16-12 mid-week brain
I had a nice treat this week, Greg was in Des Moines Monday and Tuesday nights this week- now he is on his way back to KC via Lincoln NE. Boy, that guy looks to travel, as you will hear about this summer on his planned cross country trip. Tonight, Ann and I will be watching American Idol together. We are both faves of Philip Philips! ~Judy

Which Came First …… The Chicken or the Egg?

So what is the answer to the age old question, one that I’m sure we have all asked or asked similar version of? Last week while watching Jurassic Park, I thought about the premise of “creating dinosaurs cloned from the DNA extracted from insects preserved in prehistoric amber”. Ponder this, did the chicken come before the egg here?

Back to the chicken, from time to time I think about the good old days and while there was only a few, I do find a couple to chuckle over. Like the time we were in the station wagon going to Ocean City and I fell out of the car as we were making a turn (if my memory correct it was on Viers Mill to University Ave) in Wheaton, MD. Okay, not really funny at the time, but it is now.

Then the time we were playing in the house and broke mom’s chicken candy dish. I’m think we were passing a ball around and the broke either the top or the bottom of the candy dish. We had to replace it pronto, so we pooled our money and brother Tony found another one (top or bottom). But when he brought it home, it was smaller than the bottom dish. Can’t recall how we told mom, I’m sure she noticed it first and I can count on me getting a whooping.

Well, after reminiscing about this story last month, I found the exact  chicken/hen candy dish at the Salvation Army. There it was, sitting on the shelf calling my name and for .99 cents, it was mines. When I checked out, the manager said “do you know what you have there”? Well not really, then he told me it’s milk glass and it’s worth about $40. He took it and chewed out his staff for marking it too low. He said I had a “great find” and here I was, buying it as a gag gift. Now I’m keeping it, okay for a while. Here’s a pic of the beauty:

Milk glass, never heard of that term and I bet if I look around my house, I may have a few more pieces. The web, so much information re: milk glass. http://milkglass.org/history.html

Milk glass originated in Venice in the 16th century. However, back then milk glass came in all different colours including yellow, brown, black, pink and blue. All of these colours still project a ‘milky’ color as the tone is thick and coated. Some of these colours still exist in milk glass, especially blue, but the opaque color remains the most popular.

Although milk glass came from the 1500’s, the term ‘milk glass’ did not actually come into play until relatively recently. During the 19th century glass makers referred to milk glass as ‘opaque glass’ and was still considered a luxury item and a great collectible. ……. Milk glass became popular during the end of the 19th century in France. Often considered a product of the ‘fin de siecle’, the milk glass goes hand in hand with French cultural awareness and symbolises that paved the way for modernism and expressionism.

During the early 20th century, also known as the American Gilded Age, milk glass was synonymous with the cultural prosperity of the wealthy American culture. Milk glass made in the Gilded Age still remains some of the best ever made. It is known for the delicacy and elegance and were often seen on dressers and shelf tops in upper-class American homes.

However, during the 1930’s, milk glass made during the Depression was considered less elegant and delicate and more a production of the harsh times. Because of this, milk glass made during the 1930’s and 1940’s is often considered of lesser quality.

These days, milk glass still remains a popular collectible for around the home. Although it is not as expensive as porcelain, it makes a beautiful alternative for all sorts of decorations and decor items. These include cups, dishes, plates, vases, figurines, boxes, perfume bottles, glass holders, lanterns and much more. Milk glass can also be used for entire pieces such as dresser sets or salt and pepper shakers. Milk glass also makes its way into themed occasions with some Christmas bulbs and Christmas decorations made from milk glass as well. Milk glass is now manufactured by several prestigious glass companies including Atterbury Glass Company, Fenton Glass Company and Fostoria Glass Company. Other retail and specialty stores that carry milk glass figurines and other accessories include Hobbs, Brockunier and Co, Imperial Glass Company, Jeannette Glass Company and Kanawha Glass Co. 

Collectors banded together, formed a club with an annual convention. In 2006, Des Moines hosted The National Milk Glass Convention. Yee Haw, gotta run!   http://www.nmgcs.org/

Chat Later,
That Girl, Ann Marie