WINE & ACCESSORIES

Glassware Goldmines In People's Homes

It is not uncommon for people to collect vast amounts of glassware that usually gets shoved into every spare available space in the house and garden shed. However, whenever somebody comes round to visit, they pull out the same old set of wine glasses or whisky glasses that they always use. Often people think this hording behaviour is a waste of money and space, but opinion may be changing following a few high profile cases of pricey discoveries.

Last year a women in Alabama found some incredibly expensive wine glasses in her basement, and since then there have been hundreds of reported cases of glassware goldmine finds. A relative from overseas had come to visit the women and was helping her clear out her basement when he recognized the glassware brand. They turned out to be very rare vintage Riedel wine glasses, which she sold at auction for $30,000. Similar stories have now been popping up all over the place and there are even some businesses now that offer to send round antiques experts to people’s homes to sniff out the expensive pieces.

LSA, a company who make glass vases, have released finding of a study they commissioned which suggested that people in America have an average of $1000 worth of glassware in their homes, and most people think their collections are worthless. To help with the identification of pricey items, LSA suggests that you keep an eye open for quality brands such as Spiegelau, Waterford and Ravenscroft. They state that how much an item is worth often comes down to the clarity of the glass, the detailing on it, and how good the finishing is. Additionally, most good manufacturers add hallmarks on the base of their glassware. To get a more formal valuation, you can always head down to an antiques dealer and have them cast their expert eye on it and value the item for you. You should always try to get more than one opinion however, as some dealers may value the item well below what it is worth as they would like it for themselves.