When manufacturing acid-etched cameo glass, all of the top layer except the areas needed for the design are usually removed by an etching process—the figure areas are covered with a resist layer of wax or some other acid-resistant material such as bituminous paint, and the blank repeatedly dipped in hydrofluoric acid, so that cameo glass is in some sense a sub-set of acid-etched glass. The detailed work is then done with wheels and drills, before finishing, and usually polishing. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are examples and price guides to acid-etched cameo glass items including a Daum Freres Vase and a Galle table lamp.
DAUM FRERES (FOUNDED 1878)
Solifleur Vase
circa 1900
internally decorated, overlaid and acid etched glass, the surfaces with martele wheel carving, cameo mark ‘DAUM NANCY’ with the Cross of Lorraine
height 10in (25.3cm); diameter 2 1/2in (6cm)
Sold for US$5,100 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022
A THOMAS WEBB & SONS CAMEO GLASS VASE
CIRCA 1900, ACID ETCHED THOMAS WEBB & SONS CAMEO MARK
Acid-etched with intricate scrolling flowers and foliage, the yellow glass wall overlaid in opaque white with a stalk of cinquefoil flowers, the reverse with a butterfly
10 ¼ in. (26 cm.) high
Sold for USD 3,000 at Christie’s in 2018
Le Verre Francais Acid-Etched Cameo Glass Vase
Circa 1928
Height 22 inches.
Sold for $1,764 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022
Large Legras French acid etched 2-color cameo glass 26 inch vase, circa 1900. Yellow-green ground with overlaid blue to rim and base. Beautiful opalescent base with modeled internal streaks to the top. Cherry blossom design with brown enameled branches, green enameled leaves, and yellow and orange enameled highlights to center of flowers. Polished pontil. Legras signed in cameo to lower edge.
Weight Approx., 15 lbs
Measures Approx., 8.5 inches diameter of base x 26 inches tall
Sold for US$1,600 at Taylor & Harris in 2022
Émile Gallé Table Lamp circa 1900
Acid-etched cameo glass, silver base and shade each signed Gallé with French silver hallmark
20 in. (50.8 cm) high
9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm) diameter of shade
Sold for 11,340 USD at Sotheby’s in 2022
