Vintage Owens-Illinois Duraglas Clear Glass Utility Jar

This is a mid-20th-century clear glass storage or utility jar manufactured by the Owens-Illinois Glass Company. The item features the 'Duraglas' branding, a proprietary glass-making process introduced in 1940 that utilized a specific annealing technique to increase surface strength and durability. The jar has a cylindrical body that tapers slightly into rounded shoulders leading to a threaded neck. It is topped with a distinctively styled clear glass lid featuring a raised decorative pattern around the perimeter, likely designed for better grip. The glass is transparent with no significant discoloration, though the base shows embossed markings consistent with Owens-Illinois production, including the diamond-O-I logo. The construction is machine-made with visible mold seams and a thick, weighted base for stability. In terms of condition, the jar appears in good vintage state with no major cracks or large chips visible in the photograph, though typical shelf wear, minor abrasions, and a slight patina inside the base from use may be present upon closer inspection. The style is utilitarian yet classic, reflecting the mass-produced household glassware of the 1940s to 1950s. The quality of the pressed glass is high for a commercial container, indicative of the era's robust manufacturing standards.

My examination of this clear glass utility jar identifies it as a production piece by the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, featuring the signature 'Duraglas' branding. The manufacturing period is consistent with the 1940s to 1950s, supported by the presence of the diamond-O-I logo on the base and the characteristic machine-made mold seams. The glass retains high clarity with no visible solarization or heavy staining, and the survival of the original glass lid is a positive provenance indicator, as these were frequently lost or broken. The condition appears to be 'Very Good' in this scan; however, I must caution that a visual inspection cannot detect micro-fractures, ‘flea bites’ around the threads, or chemical etching that could diminish value. In the current market for vintage kitchenalia, these jars are appreciated for their durability and modernist aesthetic but remain relatively common due to their mass-produced nature as commercial packaging. Comparable sales for similar mid-sized utility jars typically range from $15 to $25, with sets fetching higher premiums. A limitation of this remote appraisal is the inability to perform a tactile check for internal stress cracks or verify the exact production year via the plant/date codes often embossed on the base, which require high-resolution physical lighting to read. For full authentication and to confirm its status as a collector's item versus a mere functional object, a physical inspection would be necessary to verify the absence of modern reproduction traits and to assess the authentic wear patterns on the resting surface of the base. No further scientific testing is recommended given the item's established commercial origin.