Age of glasswear

[kitten_uk2]

my mum is interested in antiques and has numerous glass bits and pieces, but is at a loss as to what the number on the bottom of these items means, and how do you work out the date of each piece?

[Buenchico]

The only way to date glassware is by seeking 'expert opinion', whether this be in the form of a reference book, a website (sorry, I can't recommend one) or someone like an auctioneer.

There's never been any universal system for marking glassware. The number on the base of one piece of glass could be a pattern number (which only means anything if you know who the manufacturer was) or, in the case of hand-made glass, could identify the individual craftsman (but, once again, has no meaning unless you know who the manufacturer was).

Chris