Millersburg's Masterly Back Patterns
Copyright G & S Thistlewood
Although the Millersburg factory was very short-lived (from the start of construction in September 1908 to closure in May 1912), they produced top-quality Carnival Glass that is highly sought after by Carnival and Millersburg glass collectors alike.
Their pieces are rightly known for the beauty of the interior patterns, they also designed some truly amazing exterior (back) patterns imitating cut glass. These patterns are brilliantly executed, true masterpieces of design and the exceptional skills of the mouldmaker. Remember that these patterns were cut on a curved metal mould, in "mirror image", so that the pattern elements that are raised up on the item of glass are cut into the mould, and vice versa - what an amazing skill!
The exterior patterns are also exceptionally difficult to photograph! However, thanks to Glen's brilliant artistic skill, her line drawings shown below reveal the exceptional talent of Millersburg's designers and their mould makers in capturing these wonderful patterns in glass. All drawings are by, and copyright of, Glen Thistlewood.
The exterior patterns were often used exclusively with specific interior patterns on Millersburg's 9 to 10 inch bowls.
Their pieces are rightly known for the beauty of the interior patterns, they also designed some truly amazing exterior (back) patterns imitating cut glass. These patterns are brilliantly executed, true masterpieces of design and the exceptional skills of the mouldmaker. Remember that these patterns were cut on a curved metal mould, in "mirror image", so that the pattern elements that are raised up on the item of glass are cut into the mould, and vice versa - what an amazing skill!
The exterior patterns are also exceptionally difficult to photograph! However, thanks to Glen's brilliant artistic skill, her line drawings shown below reveal the exceptional talent of Millersburg's designers and their mould makers in capturing these wonderful patterns in glass. All drawings are by, and copyright of, Glen Thistlewood.
The exterior patterns were often used exclusively with specific interior patterns on Millersburg's 9 to 10 inch bowls.
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Cactus
Cactus, exterior to
Rays and Ribbons, below (Seeck Auctions) 
Fine Cut Heart 
Fine Cut Heart, exterior to
Primrose, below 
Potpourri 
Potpourri, exterior to
Millersburg Poppy, below, courtesy Seeck Auctions 
Hobnail 
Hobnail, exterior to Vintage
(below, Seeck Auctions) and Cherries 
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Country Kitchen
Country Kitchen, exterior to
Fleur de Lys, below 
Fine Cut Ovals 
Fine Cut Ovals, exterior to
Whirling Leaves, below (Seeck Auctions) 
Trefoil Fine Cut 
Trefoil Fine Cut, exterior to
Many Stars (below) and Bernheimer 
Wide Panel 
Wide Panel, exterior to various patterns
such as Blackberry Wreath (below) 
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Diamond and Fan
Diamond and Fan, exterior to
Nesting Swan, below 
Near Cut Wreath 
Near Cut Wreath, exterior to
Holly Sprig (below) and Holly Whirl 
Mayflower 
Mayflower, exterior to
Millersburg Grape Leaves, below, courtesy Ann & Graham Sheldon 
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Millersburg also used some interesting variations in the central motifs on their Grape Wreath / Grape Wreath Variant patterns.
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The four different central motifs found on Millersburg’s Grape Wreath and Grape Wreath Variants are: Clockwise from top left Eight point star motif (spider web) Feathery leaf motif seen on the Grape Wreath; Square & plume motif (star & bars) Peacock eye & feather motif (also called clover & feather) |