What is mercury glass?

Mercury or silver glass is a glass that has a silver look. In fact, mercury glass contains no mercury, although there were several manufacturers at one point, several manufacturers who tried to cope with Mercury's glass. This procedure was short -term due to the toxic nature of the mercury and its costs, but it can correspond to the name of mercury glass. Although it is also called silver glass, it does not contain neither silver nor mercury. Instead, mercury glass is clean glass that is blown into double wall shapes. The glass is then coated on the inside with a liquid solution of nitrate silver through the hole at the bottom.

Mercury glass was first created in Germany at the beginning of the 18th century. It was used as a cheaper material for candlesticks, vases, cups and other objects. Silver Glass quickly gained popularity in France, England, Bohemia and the United States. New England Glass Company showed a large display of glass at the New York Crystal Palace in 1853; The display included cups, vases, withPittons, sugar pans, sumbles and more.

Although some critics refused Mercury Glass as too striking and looking too mirrored, most people considered it very attractive. Soon the silver glass began to be decorated with enamel, etching, color and engraving. In the twentieth century, the glass was used to make Christmas decorations and other household decorations.

Silver Glass is relatively cheap, but is often defective due to oxidation that causes a silver surface flake. The air is able to enter through the opening at the bottom, which is necessary for a solution of silver nitrate and reacts with the surface. Slow down or avoid this oxide ation, cork or wax stopper can be placed in a hole to seal it and arrest the process.

Merkur glass with wide price. Pieces can be found for more than a few US dollars (USD) on flea markets or for more than $ 1,000. However, most pieces that are in a reasonable state are increasing because the glass attracts the following among collectors.