Art glass expert, 29 vendors featured in Houston Antiques Show & Sale

Midwestern Pomona glass with painted fern design, inspired by glass produced by the New England Glass Co. (Contributed Photo)

Phoenix Glass Co. cream pitcher in satin finish with chevron optic pattern. (Contributed Photo)

Houston Museum of Decorative Arts in the Bluff View Art District is a rare depository of art glass because its founder, the late Anna Safley Houston, was a collector.

During her lifetime, Houston amassed a collection of more than 15,000 antique pitchers and thousands of other glass pieces and antiques, which are found in the Victorian house on High Street that houses the museum.

Art glass is a piece that takes its utilitarian purpose one step up by combining function with decorative design. Tom Jiamachello, an expert on American-made art glass, will share his knowledge of the glassware during this weekend's Houston Museum Antiques Show and Sale.

The annual fundraiser for the Houston Museum opens to the public Friday morning, Feb. 23, continuing through Sunday afternoon, Feb. 25, in Stratton Hall on Broad Street.

This weekend's show is larger than last year with 29 vendors, says Amy Autenreith, Houston Museum executive director. Marilyn Hoke and Aronda Lunsford, event chairwomen, have worked to draw a diverse representation of antiques from some of the country's top dealers and specialists.

"Visitors will find everything from pottery to furniture, books, maps, jewelry, china, silver, linens, blown glass and many other artistic creations," says Autenreith.

Jiamachello is a national expert in the art glass patterns made by the Consolidated Lamp & Glass Co. (1893-1963) and the Phoenix Glass Co. (1883-1980). This glass went far beyond practical function and showcased the artistry of the glassmaker and glass decorator, producing objects of lasting beauty that graced many American homes in the late 19th- and early-20th centuries.

"This technical mastery and artistry most likely will never come together to produce utilitarian art glass items again," says Jiamachello. "It's not only cost-prohibitive, but the skills of making this type of glass have been lost."

Autenreith adds that in addition to the lamps Consolidated made, the company was known for its table sets - "All the little things you would decorate your table with" - such as covered butter dishes, tumbler sets, salt and pepper sets and water pitchers.

Visitors who might have such glass pieces in their homes are invited to bring up to three pieces to Stratton Hall for identification and/or appraisal by Jiamachello on Friday at 10 a.m. or Saturday at 2 p.m. There is a $5 fee per item for appraisal.

For more information about the show or speaker, call 423-267-7176.