I have often been asked about reproductions of Spanish Lace opalescent glass. The pattern, introduced in 1899 as Opaline Brocade, was designed and manufactured by the Northwood Company, then in Indiana Pa. It was made solely by Northwood and possibly National Glass after their takeover, but has not been made as a reproduction since that time until today. There is some speculation that some was of English origin, but even if true, it is still pre-1930 blown mold opalescent, not a modern reproduction. Early reproductions include only a Fenton basket, not originally made, and opaque pressed glass. Neither would fool a collector. What seems to confuse new collectors and dealers is that Northwood originally used reeded handles on Spanish Lace Pitchers, cruets, and Syrups. THESE ARE NOT REPRODUCTIONS. The stories I have been told of people passing good buys because they were unsure if they could believe their eyes speak to this confusion. Today’s reproductions of Spanish Lace all have the Fenton logo and except for the sugar shaker in the nine-panel mold, are not the same molds.
So Spanish Lace, if you look closely, is a “safe” pattern. Once you get past the shoulder mold water set, a brides bowl, and a sugar shaker in this pattern, you  are looking at hard to find very expensive pieces. The cruet in cranberry with original pressed faceted stopper, for example,  books at $1,200. I will pay $400 on the spot for a sugar shaker in cranberry opalescent any day of the week, and make money on it I might add!  Although the Shoulder mold pitcher in cranberry opalescent (pictured) is a $700 to $900 item. In the Nine Panel or Ribbon-Tie mold you are looking at close to $3,000 dollar Water Tankards.  Due to the incredible color Canary, (Vaseline) is almost as valuable as cranberry in Spanish Lace. The table sets have intricate twig shape finials (see picture). Like all Northwood finials and stoppers the Spanish Lace finials are pressed. Look carefully the finials often have minor damage and this seriously effects value. While over twenty different items were made, from vases, to table sets, from perfumes, to decanters, from cracker jars to brides bowls, there seem to be very few rare pieces coming up for sale. This indicates not just rarity but desirability. All the good pieces seem to have a home in someone’s collection. Of the three patterns introduced by The Northwood Company in 1899, Intaglio, Venetian, and Opaline Brocade, only Opaline brocade has achieved these value levels. When introduced the Northwood advertising mentions only Crystal (white opalescent), canary, Blue and Pink (cranberry). We are still unsure where the dark green opalescent came from (England?) but it is definitely old. So if any readers or dealers (and I know you guys read this thing) have a piece of Spanish Lace for sale I would certainly appreciate the opportunity to have first bid.
 

(541) 485-8601 George Chapogas or email gcblues@aol.com