Collecting Antique & Vintage Cake Stands
By Jane T ~ March 22nd, 2009. Filed under: Antiques, Collecting.
Rare Duncan Three Face Cake Stand. Frosted stem and base. ca. 1878-1886. Source: Seymour Auctions
Seeing Jane F’s Beverly Hills Cheesecake recipe post the other day started me thinking about decorative ways to display desserts. One of the very first purchases I ever made, and certainly the most used, is my cake stand. In addition to cakes, I’ve used my stand for pies, pastries, cookies, fruit and cheese. During the holidays it becomes a pedestal for a striking glass ornament and garland arrangement.
King Arthur pattern glass pedestal cake stand with gold skirting. Duncan and Miller, ca. 1905 Source: All Antique Glass
Both photos above: George Duncan & Sons began in 1865 in Pittsburgh PA. John Ernest Miller joined the company as a designer in 1874 with the company incorporating as Duncan & Miller Glass Co in 1900. The artistry of design, the skill of the workers, and the colors of the glass set the company apart from others of the time. The factory remained in production until June 1955.
Pink trellis cake stand, Smith Glass Co. Source: Replacements Ltd.
Above: L. E. Smith Glass Company began in 1907 and is known for creating the first headlight lens for the Model T Ford and the original glass mixing bowl. Pink, green, amber, yellow, amethyst and cobalt were being made as early as 1926 followed by a formula for black glass that has remained the most collected in the industry. The company remains in production today.
Vaseline Glass cake stand from Fenton Art Glass ca. 1949 Source: Solvang Antique Center
Above: Fenton Art Glass founded in 1905 by Frank L. Fenton and his brother John W. Fenton. Frank’s unusual colors helped to keep Fenton in the forefront of the handmade art glass industry. In late 1907, Fenton introduced “Iridescent” glass, also known as “Carnival” glass. Today the company is still family owned and producing glass known for its beautiful colors and patterns. The vaseline glass shown above is a particular color of yellow-green glass that is made by adding 2% Uranium Dioxide to the ingredients when the glass formula is made.
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