Mid-Century Modern Cardinal Motif Rocks Glass

This is a vintage lowball or rocks glass, commonly used for serving spirits neat or on the rocks. The vessel is constructed from clear, machine-pressed glass with a slightly weighted base for stability. The primary decorative element is a silk-screened or enameled motif featuring a bright red Northern Cardinal perched upon golden-brown or metallic-bronze pine branches and a pinecone. The cardinal is rendered with stylized black detailing to provide feather texture and facial features. The metallic gold-tone branches wrap around the lower third of the glass, a design choice characteristic of Mid-Century Modern barware, likely dating from the 1960s or 1970s. Physically, the glass features a cylindrical body with a straight rim. The condition appears to be very good with no visible chips, cracks, or clouding of the glass. The enameled graphic remains vibrant, though some slight fading is common in metallic pigments of this age due to handling or washing. The craftsmanship is typical of mass-produced American glassware from companies like Libbey or Hazel-Atlas, though no maker's mark is immediately visible in the image. The piece exemplifies the nature-inspired hostess-ware popular during the mid-20th century.

Based on my visual examination of the provided image, I identify this item as a mid-century modern enameled rocks or lowball glass, likely produced in the 1960s or 1970s. The cardinal-and-pine motif is a classic example of North American seasonal barware, frequently distributed by manufacturers such as Libbey or Federal Glass. The condition appears 'Excellent' for its age; the vermilion pigment is vibrant, and the metallic bronze/gold overlay shows no significant dishwasher-induced pitting or oxidation, which is common in these pieces. Market demand for mid-century barware remains steady, though values are heavily influenced by quantity. While a single glass serves as a replacement piece, a complete service of 6 or 8 would command a premium. Similar individual glasses sell consistently on secondary platforms for $10 to $20. The lack of a visible maker's mark (common for these firms) excludes it from the high-luxury glass market (e.g., Dorothy Thorpe). Limitations: Verification from digital images alone cannot confirm the tactile weight or the presence of microscopic surface scratches (UTMs) that would affect value. An in-person inspection is required to check for glass 'sickness' (cloudiness) which can be hidden by lighting. To fully authenticate the manufacturer, I would need to inspect the base for a 'heat-fused' mark or review the original retail box. Scientific testing is unnecessary here, as the value lies in the decorative appeal rather than the material composition. Presence of original 'Hostess Set' packaging would increase the valuation by 20%.