Blanks for Cutting

... [A] blank intended for cutting can be made by blowing and tooling in a plain or patterned mold, or by pressing either with or without a pattern or partial pattern. -- Kenneth M. Wilson, in AMERICAN GLASS, 1760-1930

Introduction

The outline below suggests a rational classification for the several types of cutting blanks the reader will encounter when viewing American cut glass of the brilliant period. When reading older accounts he will find that terminology was often neither precisely defined nor used consistently. This can be confusing. Usually, however, the meaning will become clear when context is considered.

Note that this classsification includes "pressed blanks" under "genuine cut glass". This is because these blanks are "plain"; that is, no part of the pattern has been imparted to them by the female parts of the molds used. Such blanks, nevertheless, might be regarded as "second grade" cut glass, following a suggestion made by William F. Dorflinger in a letter to the editor of Crockery and Glass Journal, dated 11 Sep 1916. (The other blanks listed under "genuine cut glass" were considered "first grade" by Dorflinger.)

It should be emphasized that, contrary to what is often claimed, there is no inherent difference in quality between "free-blown" and "mold-blown" blanks, provided proper care was taken when each type was made. The use of molds was (and is) necessary in order to standardize shapes and sizes.

In both "figured" and "pressed-patterned" blanks part of the pattern is molded into the exterior surfaces of the blanks. In the former case this is accomplished by blowing the gather of hot glass into a patterned mold. In the latter situation the molten glass is pressed into a patterned mold. Cut glass produced using these kinds of blanks can not, therefore, be considered "genuine" cut glass.

Because some of the patterns he considered were molded and not cut, Dorflinger did not classify "figured" and pressed-patterned blanks; he must have considered them beyond the pale. Interestingly, he did classify lime-soda blanks -- as "third grade" -- but only when produced from pressed (plain) blanks and subsequently fully cut. "Glass that is cut" has been used to describe this glass.

Updated 28 May 2002