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7 Tips for Purchasing Art Glass for Investment

1. Scratches or nicks

Granted, some artists may rough up the surface of the glass intentionally. But in such cases, their intention is usually obvious. Otherwise, there should be no scratches or nicks. If you think that you may at a later time want to resell the piece and you see it as an investment, you will want to talk to the seller about such problems and get a perfect piece without such flaws. But even if you know you will definitely keep the piece and the scratch does not bother you much, still talk to the seller and you may actually get a discount.

 

2. Bubbles

During glassblowing, some bubbles cannot always be avoided. If you see small bubbles that do not break the surface of the glass, it is alright in most cases. Sometimes such imperfections are what make the piece unique and "prove" that they are handmade. However, if you believe that the bubbles are too large, do not invest in such pieces.

 

3. Color

Streaks in color unrelated to any pattern are imperfections.

 

4. Signature

The general rule is to make sure that the piece is signed. You will want it especially in case you want to resell it. However, do keep in mind that in some time periods or some regions, masters of blown glass rarely signed the glass. So if you are purchasing antique glass and you see a signature, it could be scam. Do your homework and research the artist and his/her characteristics or the specific time period and area  before buying.

 

5. The reputation or exposure of the artists themselves

It is usually a good thing when the artist is widely recognized; a lot of people will want to buy their piece from you. On the other hand, if they have too many studios and have produced too many pieces, there is no rarity to their pieces. People may not need to buy from you – they will just buy directly from the artist or buy from other people. If artists are overexposed like this, it is hard to call their pieces "collectibles." Thus, a certain limit to exposure is good.

 

6. Are the artworks of the artist collected in any museums or did he/she win awards?

If you are a beginning collector, sometimes it is a wise decision to listen to what other people say. Besides, general acknowledgement and appreciation of the artist increases the likelihood that you will be able to sell their piece in the future.

For example, Correia Art Glass is owned by the nation's leading museums, such as the Metropolitan, Smithsonian, and Corning Museum.

 

7. Your own judgment and taste

Artistic perfection and craftsmanship, the artist, and others' opinions are all very important – but your satisfaction is probably the most important thing to consider when investing in art glass. Always buy something you love.

About the Author

Breaking stereotypes. Not all beauty needs to be dumb. Visit Mirakkul Glassware for exquisite hand blown glass vases, bowls, and paperweights that combine beauty and functionality.

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