The Colorful World of Mountain-Made Glass. Start gathering your own shiny pieces of Appalachian history.

Any antiquer knows that the glassware section is where it’s at. West Virginia–made glass is a particularly hot commodity, collected and valued by many a discerning eye.

→ Libbey Glass Company

Libbey Glass Company once operated the largest plate glass plant in the world out of Charleston. Today, its Golden Foliage pattern is worth its weight in gold.

→ Fenton Art Glass

Williamstown’s Fenton Art Glass has been a household name for more than a century—first with the practical American family, now with collectors of coveted carnival glass. When it comes to glass art made carefully by hand, Fenton Art Glass was one of the best in the business. From 1905 to 2011, Fenton played with colors and intricate patterns, adding unique handpainted designs. While the factory is no longer in operation—demolished in 2017—Fenton moulds are still being used elsewhere, even creating pieces for the Fenton Gift Shop in Williamstown. fagcainc.org, @fentonartglasscompany on FB

→ Akro Agate

Akro Agate might’ve gotten its start in Ohio, but Clarksburg is where its success really blossomed in the mid-1900s, producing millions of glass marbles each week.

→ Rainbow Art Glass Company

Between colorful handblown glassware and elegant handpainted pieces, Huntington’s Rainbow Art Glass Company is unmistakable.

→ Viking Glass

Formerly New Martinsville Glass Company, Viking Glass kept up on the trends—its name was inspired by the popularity of Scandinavian glass in the mid-1900s, and its mid-century modern style remains iconic.

→ Blenko Glass Co.

All West Virginians know Blenko, and they probably have a few pieces of their own. The makers specialize in handblown glass art, from ornaments and vases to jewelry, barware, and the famous water bottles. Blenko has been in production since 1893, so you can bet that collectors are consistently on the hunt for the antique and vintage pieces of their dreams. blenko.com, @blenkoglass on FB

A Glass Menagerie

→ Appalachian Glass

Appalachian Glass is a highly collectible item sought after by glass enthusiasts. Known for its colorful Friendship Balls and unique pieces, this company focuses on traditional glassblowing ingredients and methods to form the pieces we love. And because of its unique, small-batch, handmade designs, no two pieces are ever exactly the same. appglass.com, “Appalachian Glass” on FB

→ Fostoria Glass Company

Started by West Virginia glass makers in Ohio in 1887 before moving to Moundsville in 1891, the Fostoria Glass Company was a widely beloved manufacturer of high-end, ornate glass. The company ended its production in 1986, but collectors around the country still eagerly search for rare and limited designs. You can see some of these on display at the Fostoria Glass Museum in Moundsville. fostoriaglass.org, “Fostoria Glass Museum” on FB

→ Weishar Enterprises

We can thank Weishar Enterprises, sister company to Wheeling’s long-standing Island Mould & Machine Company, for gathering the rights to all of the Moon and Star pattern glass moulds that had been leased for years to various glassmaking companies and bringing them home to West Virginia. These pieces still remain a dream find for many modern glass collectors, so keep your eyes peeled!

weishar.com/island-mould-machine-co.html

Collecting West Virginia Antique Glass