Preliminary identification

Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) Flute and Star Bud Vase

Photo reference

5 uploaded photos

Overview

This is a classic Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) bud vase, featuring a tall, slender body with vertical fluting that flares dramatically into a ruffled, six-pointed star rim. The circular foot is decorated with a molded starburst or rayed pattern on the underside, designed to catch and refract the light of a parlor room.

Story

Before plastic or cheap imports, American tables in the 1890s were brightened by pressed glass. This vase was designed to hold a single, perfect rosebud, acting as a centerpiece for Sunday dinners in middle-class Victorian homes.

Maker / Origin

During the late 19th century, consortiums like the United States Glass Company (USGC) consolidated dozens of individual glass factories across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. These factories democratized luxury by using high-pressure iron molds to mass-produce glass that mimicked expensive, hand-cut European crystal.

Condition & Value

The photos show a prominent horizontal scratch or hairline crack on the mid-body of the vase, as well as what appears to be a structural crack or deep impact fracture running through the outer edge of the circular foot. These structural flaws reduce the value by roughly 60-70%, rendering it primarily a decorative study piece.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.