Mary Ann, Dugan-Diamond and Modern Reproduction

Classic Mary Ann vase, purple

Ad from Spring 1915 Butler Brothers catalogue showing a Dugan-Diamond * selection, including the Mary Ann vase. (* in 1915 the factory was the Diamond Glass-Ware Co).

The original Classic Mary Ann vase was made by Dugan-Diamond. The catalogue illustration above is from Butler Brothers Spring 1915 edition (by which time the factory was actually the Diamond Glass-Ware Company). It shows a Mary Ann vase, bottom left, as part of a "NEW ETRUSCAN" assortment, described as "Golden iridescent".

The Classic Mary Ann vase is 6.5 inches tall and is found in marigold and purple/amethyst Carnival (and non-iridised in blue opal, crystal opal and according to Heacock, “Depression era colors”).

The original Mary Ann was made using two different moulds – most, like the one shown above, have 8 scallops around the top and around the base and there are four mould seams. There is a scarcer version that has 10 scallops around the top and the base and only 2 mould seams. The overall concept is the same but there are many small differences in the detail of the patterns on the two mould versions: stippling, sizing and appearance of the flowers and so on.

There is a much rarer Classic version which has three handles: known only in marigold, it has a different shape and a plain top and base (no scallops), as shown on the right, courtesy of Seeck Auctions. The shape is called a Loving Cup.

A Mary Ann loving cup: it has three handles (the third on is at the back in this image), and a plain top and base. Courtesy of Seeck Auctions.

Modern Reproductions

The new reproductions are called Mary Dugan vases. They are made by Mosser Glass, but they do not have a maker's mark. They have 10 scallops around the top and the foot and 2 mould seams. Rosso Glass offers them wholesale, and they are still available today.

How to identify the reproductions

1. Check under the base.

This has to be the most reliable way. If the base is iridised underneath, it is a reproduction. The Classic Mary Ann vases are not iridised under the base.

2. Look at the iridescence

It takes some experience to be certain, but most Carnival collectors will spot the distinctive, rather vivid and brash iridescence on the reproductions.

3. Count the scallops

If it has 8 scallops around the top and on the base, it is a Classic old one. If it has 10 scallops then you need to do some thinking. The reproductions have 10 scallops around the top and the base, but there is also a 10 scallop version of the Classic Mary Ann. The 10 scallop Classic version is very hard to find, and to our knowledge, it has only been reported in marigold. 

4. What about the colour?

The reproductions have been made in a wide variety of colours: iridised (Carnival) vases have been reported in black amethyst, marigold fading to amberina, light blue ("Spring Blue"), light green ("Peridot Green"), iridised milk glass, and red/amberina (below right).

​Non-iridised versions have been reported in vaseline, satinized vaseline, white opal, and satinized white opal.

Modern Reproduction on the left (black amethyst), and 
Classic Mary Ann on the right (purple).

​So - check the base! 

This has to be the most reliable way. If the base is iridised underneath, it is a reproduction.

Reproduction in red/amberina Carnival, Seeck Auctions