Ruby Red Hobnail Glass Vase

This is a medium-sized decorative vase crafted from thick, translucent ruby red glass, featuring a distinctive 'hobnail' or 'thousand eye' raised stud pattern across its entire exterior surface. The vessel is cylindrical in shape with a gentle taper toward the base and a flat, polished rim. The deep red color indicates the inclusion of gold or selenium in the glass batch, traditional for Fenton or Anchor Hocking styles, though no specific maker's mark is visible from this angle. The craftsmanship shows high-quality mold-blown techniques, with uniform protrusion of the hobnails which create a multi-faceted light reflection and a tactile, bumpy texture. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or significant surface scratching, though typical shelf wear or 'straw marks' from the cooling process may be present upon closer inspection. The style is reminiscent of Mid-Century Modern or late Victorian revival glassware, likely dating from the 1940s to the 1970s. Its heavy base suggests stability, and the vibrant hue makes it a classic example of American art glass used for interior decoration.

I have completed a visual assessment of this ruby red hobnail glass vase. The item exhibits the hallmarks of mid-20th-century American art glass, specifically those produced by Fenton Art Glass or Anchor Hocking between 1940 and 1975. The 'ruby' saturation is consistent with selenium-ruby glass batches, and the mold-blown hobnail protrusions appear uniform and well-defined, suggesting a high-quality production run with minimal mold degradation. The condition appears to be 'Excellent' with no observable flea bites on the hobnails or chips to the rim or base. Market demand for red hobnail glass remains steady among collectors of Mid-Century Modern and 'Grandmillennial' decor, though these pieces were produced in significant quantities, which limits their rarity. Comparable sales for similar medium-sized, unmarked cylinders currently fluctuate in the $40 to $70 range. The lack of a visible 'Fenton' logo (introduced in the 1970s) suggests an earlier vintage, which slightly bolsters value. However, this appraisal is subject to several limitations. Because I am examining the item via a digital image, I cannot verify the presence of an acid-etched mark or signature on the base. Positive authentication would require an in-person tactile inspection to check for 'straw marks' versus actual cracks and to verify the pontil mark style. Scientific testing for gold chloride or selenium content would be required to definitively confirm the glass chemistry, and a blacklight test would be used to check for manganese or uranium content sometimes found in older vintage glass recipes.