Everyone Owned It In The '50s — Now It's The Elegant Glass Table Decor We Want At Home

Some vintage pieces never make their way back into style. Maybe it's because they're just not that aesthetically pleasing, or maybe they're not terribly useful anymore. Other pieces, however, look timeless and chic, even 70 years after their heyday. For example, some elegant flower vases from the 1950s might now be a perfect addition to your home decor. For example, Libbey Glass vases are among those amazing thrift store items you shouldn't overlook. 

Libbey Glass vases are typically delicate, with textured glass, though the exact shape varies by model. You may find a wide variety of Libbey Glass vases, all with different shapes and sizes. Some might be clear, while others are made of colored glass, meaning you can find models that perfectly complement your existing exterior design style. The key, as in many cases, is to authenticate your latest thrift find. Luckily, Libbey Glass often stamped a logo at the bottom of their vases. 

Libbey Glass vases get their name from the company that produced them: Libbey Glass. It's one of those old American companies that started operations in the 1800s and still continues to operate today. It was originally called the New England Glass Company, and for many years it was a leader in glass manufacturing in the country. Libbey Glass was the first to use several techniques, including machine-blown glass and automatic light bulb production. So when you find a vintage Libbey Glass vase, you're finding a little piece of American history, too. 

To identify whether a vase is from Libbey Glass, look at the logo at the bottom. The company used several versions, which can also help you date a vase back to a specific decade. Most logos combine a circle (or two) and either a cursive "L" or "Libbey" written inside. The circles might be hollow, filled, or broken into sections, but very old stamps look very different: Libbey written on a sword or a line indicates a piece dates back to the 1910s or earlier. Depending on which model you find and its condition, the vases can resell for as little as $20, and as much as hundreds of dollars.

However, it's important to note that vintage Libbey Glass product may contain lead. This isn't unique to Libbey Glass pieces, but it's good to keep in mind. So while vintage glass may be beautiful, is it safe? Well, sort of. Lead glass is considered safe when it's not used for food or drinking water, so make sure not to drink out of your vase and use it for flowers only.  The products the company manufactures today do not contain lead. 

If you'd like to look for these vases online, check eBay or Etsy with the keywords "Libbey Glass Vases". An antique Libbey vase that's in good condition, with a unique color and shape and an easily identifiable stamp on the bottom might go for $200 or more. You'll also find many much less expensive models with the stamp "Libbey of Canada."  These are from the Canadian subsidiary of Libbey Glass, which started operations in the late 1970s.