Vintage Glassware Is Trending—and These 7 Gorgeous Styles Deserve a Comeback

While many of us have cabinets stocked with plain clear glasses of various shapes and sizes for water, juice, champagne or wine, it can be fun to jazz things up a little. And vintage glassware is a great option for doing just that. Drinking glasses of yore were often colorful, patterned or more interestingly shaped compared to what is commonly available in stores today. Plus, vintage glasses can also be used as pretty decor or unique flower vases. With these period styles, it’s not all about practical use—some collectors get really into it and want to just have them around to display.

So, if you’re looking to get into vintage glassware collecting—or at least trying to have a little fun hunting down something cool—where do you begin? Parade consulted with Samantha Robinson, the Vice President of Design at Heritage Auctions, as well as experts at 1stDibsabout this trend. 

From what you should look out for when shopping for classic glassware, to what counts as “vintage,” to the seven styles that deserve to make a comeback, here’s everything we learned.

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What Is Vintage Glassware?

For something to be considered vintage, it has to do with its age.

“While ‘antique’ is a term applied to objects over 100 years old, ‘vintage’ refers to objects made between 25 and 99 years ago,” says Robinson. “In 2026, any object produced between 2001 and 1927 is ‘vintage,’ regardless of style.”

This means that “vintage” currently includes everything from “American Depression glass, to mid-century Murano stemware, to well-known patterns from luxury brands like Baccarat and Saint-Louis,” the auctioneer continues. 

“For collectors, the most desirable vintage glassware has distinct period characteristics,” the experts at 1stDibs add. “These period styles can be elegant, nostalgic or even playful, and add a wonderful sense of whimsy to a contemporary tabletop.”

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What Should You Look for When You Go Shopping for Vintage Glassware?

Unless you are looking for a particular brand or style, Robinson says that when shopping for vintage glassware, just “follow your instincts and go for pieces with forms, colors and patterns that draw your eye.” 

She also recommends looking for a manufacturer’s mark on the bottom of the glass, especially if you want to know whether you’re buying something that has become particularly valuable.

“A mark gives clues on the history of the piece and its potential value,” she says. “Also look for damage, as a chip, crack or restoration can impact value and usability.”

You also have to be aware of whether the glassware is safe, especially if you are looking to drink from the glasses, rather than just collect them.

“Another important consideration [for] vintage glassware is its material constitution, particularly if purchasing for functional use,” 1stDibs’s experts explain. “Prior to the 1980s, lead was often used in glassware, particularly crystal, to make pieces more brilliant.”

Where Can You Buy Vintage Glassware?

As with anything vintage, where you shop is going to depend on the value and availability of an item. For example, you can find vintage clothes in any thrift store, but you’re unlikely to find, say, a vintage Chanel suit.

“For high-end glassware from well-known brands and manufacturers like Tiffany Studios or Lalique, bid at a reputable auction house like Heritage Auctions,” Robinson says. For serious collectors, 1stDibs also recommends Elise Abrams Antiques, a seller on the website.

For those getting into vintage glassware more casually, Robinson suggests checking out Everything But the House, Facebook Marketplace and brick-and-mortar antique, consignment and thrift shops, all of which offer wide ranges of items.

“You never know what you’ll find!” she states.

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7 Vintage Glassware Styles That Deserve To Make a Comeback

Here are classic “must-have” styles that experts recommend looking for.

1. Tiffany Studios Pastel Glassware

“I am particularly fond of Tiffany Studios Pastel glassware, which barely makes the ‘vintage’ cut given it was produced during the 1920s,” explains Robinson. “This line featured handblown tableware and glassware in pastel shades such as aqua, pink and chartreuse that would be a welcome addition to tablescapes today.”

2. Art Deco Glassware

“The pared-down forms of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne from the 1920s to the 1940s also deserve a second look. Glassware of this period is generally clear with simple molded or etched decorative elements,” Robinson tells Parade.

3. Streamline Moderne Glassware

Robinson says that both Art Deco and Streamline Modern glassware “can fit in with a wide range of tableware and decorative table elements. These Walter Dorwin Teague-designed Libbey cocktail glasses are a perfect example.”

4. Gilt-Decorated Glassware

“Colored overlay glass and gilt-decorated pieces offer such charm and whimsy, and they well deserve a comeback as the perfect accoutrements to a Maximalist interior or tabletop,” say the experts at 1stDibs.

5. Colored Overlay Glassware

On that note, the 1stDibs experts continue: “The beauty of a well-formed glassware collection is that it should include an array of styles, not just forms. Incorporating color is a great way to build depth and character on a table.”

6. Vintage Coupes

“Vintage coupes continue to captivate collectors and entertainers alike, their lasting appeal rooted in the glamour and ritual of classic cocktail culture,” says the experts at 1stDibs. “Available in a remarkable range of silhouettes, colors and decorative details, antique coupes bring character and sophistication to any tablescape and make an especially elegant vessel for champagne cocktails.”

7. Vintage Champagne Flutes

“Goblets, wine glasses and champagne flutes remain among the most timeless categories of vintage and antique glassware,” experts at 1stDibs tell Parade. “Their popularity stems from the exceptional craftsmanship of fine crystal stemware, whose beauty, artistry and elegance transcend fleeting design trends and continue to resonate with contemporary collectors.”

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Sources:

• Samantha Robinson is the Vice President of Design at Heritage Auctions
• Experts at 1stDibs, an online marketplace for vintage and/or unique goods.