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Cobalt Glass

The deep brilliant blue of cobalt comes to life when it is used to color glassware. The realization of this fantastic connection resulted in the field of cobalt glass, which developed in Europe in the 16th century.

The oldest examples of cobalt glass date to the late third millennium and the days of ancient Mesopotamia, yet the pigment disappears from glassmaking following this point for generations. Though cobalt was used with increasingly frequency in painting ceramics from the ancient world on, it was not until the 16th century that pioneering glassmakers in Bohemia experimented with cobalt glass once more.

As time progressed, glassmakers came to enjoy the richness of color, as the cobalt itself filters out the inherent yellow cast of glass. Resulting by the 19th century was a wide variety of cobalt glass producers both in Europe and in North America, with a particular surge in American demand following the Depression era.


Quick Facts

  • Cobalt, which is made from the chemical compound of potassium cobalt silicate, is also called smalt. Its chemical relative, cobalt aluminate, or cobalt blue, proved essential in painting. So prevalent was it in Maxfield Parrish's paintings, for example, that it became known as Parrish Blue
  • In painted instances where the original smalt was used, such as in "The Portrait of Sir William Butts" by 16th-century German artist Hans Holbein the Younger, these zones of blue have typically oxidized and discolored over time
  • Bristol blue glass, originating in Bristol, England, is one of the most popular and historic production regions of cobalt glass. Their glass makers created the iconic blue bottle still used to house Bristol Cream Sherry

Recommended Items at Auction

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Cobalt Cream & Sugar With Silver Overlay
Feb 06, 10:00 AM EST
Cobalt Cream & Sugar With Silver Overlay
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $1,000
$12 Bids
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Tall Vintage Italian Twisted Cobalt Blue Glass Vase
Feb 08, 9:00 AM CST
Tall Vintage Italian Twisted Cobalt Blue Glass Vase
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$202 Bids
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Enamel Decorated Cobalt Glass Biscuit Jar W/ Lid
Feb 13, 10:00 AM EST
Enamel Decorated Cobalt Glass Biscuit Jar W/ Lid
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$82 Bids
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Group of 2 Cobalt Blue Art Glass Vases
Feb 08, 9:00 AM CST
Group of 2 Cobalt Blue Art Glass Vases
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
An early 19th century unusually large 'Mariners' Bristol glass cobalt blue rolling pin
Feb 14, 10:00 AM GMT
An early 19th century unusually large 'Mariners' Bristol glass cobalt blue rolling pin
by Martel Maides
Est: £20- £30
£141 Bid
Oversized Cobalt Blue Pedestal Vase
Feb 13, 11:00 AM EST
Oversized Cobalt Blue Pedestal Vase
by Bodnar's Auction Sales
Est: $50- $100
$100 Bids
Lot of 3 Cobalt Blue Cabinet Plates/Chargers
Feb 13, 11:00 AM EST
Lot of 3 Cobalt Blue Cabinet Plates/Chargers
by Bodnar's Auction Sales
Est: $100- $200
$100 Bids
American La Pierre Silver Overlay Cobalt Blue Glass Vase, circa 1910
Feb 23, 10:00 AM PST
American La Pierre Silver Overlay Cobalt Blue Glass Vase, circa 1910
by Taylor & Harris
Est: $400- $500
$2500 Bids
A GERMAN COBALT BLUE GLASS LIDDED CHEST WITH SCENES OF BADEN-BADEN, 19TH CEN.
Feb 16, 12:00 PM EST
A GERMAN COBALT BLUE GLASS LIDDED CHEST WITH SCENES OF BADEN-BADEN, 19TH CEN.
by Helios Auctions
Est: $600- $800
$4000 Bids
19TH C. FRENCH ENAMEL COBALT BLUE OPERA GLASSES
Feb 07, 1:30 PM PST
19TH C. FRENCH ENAMEL COBALT BLUE OPERA GLASSES
by Auction Plus, Inc.
Est: $3,000- $4,000
$1,7000 Bids
Czech Cobalt Blue Glass Perfume Scent Bottle with Bird Stopper
Feb 23, 10:00 AM PST
Czech Cobalt Blue Glass Perfume Scent Bottle with Bird Stopper
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $200- $250
$1300 Bids
KLEINE JUGENDSTIL-VASE.
Feb 27, 10:00 AM CET
KLEINE JUGENDSTIL-VASE.
by Auktionshaus Wendl
Est: €0- €0
€600 Bids
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Faceted Cobalt Glass Nekclace
Feb 13, 10:00 AM EST
Faceted Cobalt Glass Nekclace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$10 Bids
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2 Cobalt Lined Vessels
Mar 11, 10:00 AM EDT
2 Cobalt Lined Vessels
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $40- $60
$200 Bids
COBALT GILT VASE
Feb 22, 1:00 PM JST
COBALT GILT VASE
by New Art Est-Ouest Auctions
Est: ¥50,000- ¥80,000
¥50,0000 Bids
Lundberg Studios Cobalt Iridescent Vase
Feb 11, 11:00 AM EST
Lundberg Studios Cobalt Iridescent Vase
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $50- $500
$250 Bids
A pair of 19th century cobalt blue glass goblets. Bakhmetiev manufactory
Feb 27, 5:00 PM EET
A pair of 19th century cobalt blue glass goblets. Bakhmetiev manufactory
by Baltic Auction Group
Est: €800- €1,200
€6000 Bids
Simon Rosenau German 800 Silver Overlay Cobalt Blue Glass Small Jardiniere c1900
Feb 08, 8:00 AM PST
Simon Rosenau German 800 Silver Overlay Cobalt Blue Glass Small Jardiniere c1900
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $200- $250
$1200 Bids
DALE CHIHULY, COBALT VIOLET MACCHIA PAIR WITH BLACK LIP WRAPS
Feb 06, 11:00 AM EST
DALE CHIHULY, COBALT VIOLET MACCHIA PAIR WITH BLACK LIP WRAPS
by Rago Arts and Auction Center
Est: $7,500- $9,500
$6,5000 Bids
A Large Cobalt Blue Glass Stem Vase with Ribbed Detail
Feb 12, 6:00 PM AEDT
A Large Cobalt Blue Glass Stem Vase with Ribbed Detail
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD400 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Cobalt Glass


Berner's Auction Gallery

Berner's Auction Gallery

Bodnar's Auction Sales

Bodnar's Auction Sales

Carnegie's Auction Gallery

Carnegie's Auction Gallery

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers