From the Web: About the 1883 COMET

The  "Pons-Brooks Comet" was rediscovered by William Robert Brooks in 1883.  It is a "Halley-type" comet with a roughly 71-year orbital period. It's one of the brightest known periodic comets and is nicknamed the "Mother of Dragons" or "Devil Comet."  

-------Victorians were fascinated by astronomy, particularly comet sightings, which led to the creation of comet-themed jewelry.  In the 1880s-1890s, several significant celestial events occurred, including the transit of Venus in 1882, numerous Solar and Lunar Eclipses, and the discovery of Mars's moons, Deimos and Phobos.  

-------Comets and other bright celestial occurrences inspired brooches, pins, and pendants, often featuring sparkly precious, semi-precious, or even paste stones. Household goods from tableware to knick-knacks were also decorated inspired by the universe happenings. These pieces were a reflection of the Victorian fascination with the cosmos and celestial bodies. 

From the Web: American Brilliant Cut Glass, 1876-1917

This history of glass in America shows that after the Civil War, a national style began to develop in cut glassware. This came into full flower about the time our country was preparing to celebrate her hundredth birthday and what is now termed the "Brilliant Period" began. From about 1876 until the advent of World War 1, American cut glass craftsmen excelled all others worldwide, and produced examples of the cut glass art that may never again be equaled.

---------Up until the post-war period, Americans felt European glass was superior. But the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia turned this around. Rail transportation brought record attendance to our nation's hundredth 'birthday party,' and throngs were captivated by elegant cut glass tableware, lamps, perfume bottles and other fine products on display. A boom was sparked that lighted the mighty glass furnaces throughout the northeast, and the Brilliant Period kicked off.

-----------The blossoming industry received another boost at the 1889 Paris Exposition when grand prizes were awarded to the T. G. Hawkes Company of Corning, New York for two patterns named Grecian and Chrysanthemum. Worldwide acclaim immediately followed, breaking for good the specter of European superiority. Incidentally, in 1903, Thomas G. Hawkes teamed with an Englishman, Frederick Carder, to found the Steuben Company; to this day the world's most famous glass house.

------------Just four years later at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, The Libbey Glass Company of Toledo garnered the top awards for cut glass with their Columbia and Isabella patterns. Again popularity increased and huge sets of American cut glass tableware were ordered by the White House, by the presidents of Mexico and Cuba, by Edward VII of Great Britain, and by many industrial tycoons of the day. American cut glass had reached the zenith in its acceptance throughout the world. It had no peers.

------------If today you are intrigued by the shimmer and sparkle of faceted glass, you are probably very familiar with such household names as Baccarat, Cristal d'Arques, Lalique, Orrefors, St. Louis, Val St. Lambert, and the ever-popular Waterford. Do you likewise recognize and know something about these equally famous names: Dorflinger, Egginton, Hawkes, Hoare, Jewel, Libbey, Meriden, Sinclaire, and Tuthill? All of the former are foreign, all of the latter are American - Brilliant Period American.  

---Libbey sadly known today only for inexpensive daily drinking glassware bought at the discount stores.

-----------If you now know little or nothing about Brilliant Period cut glass, you have an exciting adventure awaiting you, for minimum effort will acquaint you with a thoroughly American art form that is rapidly being rediscovered and appreciated by connoisseurs and collectors across the land.

------------If you already have American made cut glass that belonged to a grandmother or another family member, cherish it as you would any prized possession, for no more like it will ever be made. If you are looking for a rewarding hobby, consider becoming a collector. Fellow collectors are a friendly clan, eager to help the newcomer.  Whatever you do, take joyful pride in those years, the years of the Brilliant Period, truly a part of our great American heritage.