Vaseline Glass Bowl Appraisal

Uranium Glass Bowl or Plate

This item is a circular, shallow glass dish, likely a serving bowl or a large plate, characterized by its distinctive greenish-yellow hue, which strongly suggests it is made of uranium glass, also known as Vaseline glass. The color consistency and slight luminosity observed under ambient light point to the presence of uranium in the glass composition, which would fluoresce brightly under UV light. The dish features a smooth, broad rim that tapers down to a slightly raised, flattened central base. The overall form is simple and elegant, a common design for tableware from the early to mid-20th century. Physically, the item appears to be of moderate size, perhaps ranging from 10 to 14 inches in diameter, but exact dimensions are not discernible from the image. The material is visibly glass, with a glossy finish. There are several noticeable condition issues: the surface of the glass is quite dirty, showing smudges, dust, and what appear to be dried liquid marks, particularly around the center and edges. There are also some small, dark particles or debris scattered across the surface. No obvious cracks, chips, or repairs are visible through the dirt, but a thorough cleaning would be necessary to assess the item's true integrity. The construction appears to be molded glass, indicating mass production rather than hand-blown. The style period is likely Art Deco to Mid-Century Modern, placing its estimated age from the 1920s to the 1950s, a peak period for uranium glass production. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures in the provided image. The quality of the glass appears to be good, with a uniform color and relatively few visible imperfections beyond the superficial dirt.