Fostoria Elegant Glass – Coronet and Pioneer Fostoria plain glass patterns are so elegant and are well-suited to today’s decorating themes of simplicity and shape. With the undecorated blanks the beauty of the glass itself takes center stage.
News-Antique.com - Sep 05,2007 - Fostoria plain glass patterns are so elegant and are well-suited to today’s decorating themes of simplicity and shape. With the undecorated blanks the beauty of the glass itself takes center stage. We’ll look at two of these this month, the graceful Coronet blank and the simple – and beautiful – Pioneer. Over the next several months please come back for articles on other notable blanks, including Fairfax and Baroque, Raleigh, Century, Lafayette and Sonata. If you enjoy elegant Fostoria glass these will be useful to help understand the glass you see and appreciate.
Coronet is a personal favorite with its round shapes and graceful wavy lines. Fostoria used Coronet, line number 2560, with several etchings, notably Willowmere. Coronet was produced primarily from 1938 to 1943 although there were some pieces available until 1960. It’s one of the blanks so pretty by itself it doesn’t really gain anything by being etched.
Coronet is easy to identify. Look for three wavy lines, like ripples, that are near the rim. The other pattern that has wavy lines is number 2650 Horizon, but you are unlikely to mistake the two since Horizon is less common, had more severe shapes and came in spruce green and cinnamon brown. Coronet handles are especially nice, with curled up ridges that look like ram’s horns. The handles are a little Colony handles, but Colony has an all-over swirl design.
Oddly enough, Coronet is one of the less common designs in plain crystal. You may find relish trays, plates, serving pieces, console bowls, ice buckets and the usual table setting pieces such as cups and saucers. Please check our website, Cat Lady Kate’s Elegant and Depression Glass, for the relish, ice bucket, mayo, creamer, sugar, tidbit and serving plate. We have had other pieces but apparently others besides us enjoy this pattern!
Fostoria made Coronet in crystal only. This was after the period when colored glass was big, which ended roughly in the mid 1930s. Although Fostoria made colored glass every year, crystal was the big seller after about 1940 and the Coronet pattern reflects this preference.
Coronet doesn’t appear particularly susceptible to damage; the curved shapes and rather solid handles are not prone to chipping or cracks. You will want to check for scratches and wear. All these clear patterns, that do not have etches or cuttings that help hide wear, are most beautiful without wear. It’s hard to find glass 50 years old that doesn’t have some evidence of age, but do be wary of glass that has noticeable scratches or center wear. If you buy online and the seller does not mention wear then be sure to ask about it and don’t rely on words like “mint”. Also look for clarity. Pieces like this that don’t have decorations to distract they eye are beautiful because the glass is crystal clear and capture the light. You will want glass that is as clear as possible.
As with almost all of Fostoria’s elegant glass, Coronet pieces have ground
