Preliminary identification

Depression Glass Berry Set with Silver Overlay, c.1930s

Photo reference

5 uploaded photos

Overview

A beautiful seven-piece dessert or berry set featuring a large master bowl and six matching individual bowls. Crafted in a delicate ice-blue glass, each piece is adorned with an elegant floral silver overlay pattern and finished with a heavily silvered, scalloped rim.

Story

During the dark days of the Great Depression, American glassmakers used a brilliant trick to bring joy to homes. They combined cheap, colorful machine-molded glass with luxurious, hand-applied silver overlay to create affordable everyday glamour.

Maker / Origin

While the base glass was likely mass-produced by a major Ohio Valley firm, the silver decoration was often applied by specialized decorating companies like Rockwell Silver Company or Silver City Glass. These decorators bought 'blanks' from glass factories and elevated them into works of art using proprietary electroplating techniques.

Condition & Value

The set appears to be in good vintage condition with no major chips visible. There is moderate tarnish and minor wear/rubbing to the silver overlay, particularly on the interior floral details and the scalloped rims, which is typical for its age.

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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.