Verlys of America is an outgrowth of the Verlys Glass Company of France, which was itself established in 1931. Both company’s style is of etched clear glass bowls and vases with natural motifs. The etched finish is very similar to Lalique. Verlys of America was started in 1935 by Holophane Lighting Company by importing the glass formulas, techniques and molds from the French company. In later years, the American company commissioned American artists to create new items for their product lines. These included a line with Chinese motifs, and a popular Girl with Lamb and Ewe bowl.
Most Verlys pieces have signamture “Verlys” name on them. The style of the etched figures and of the natural motifs of birds, bugs, flowers and plants on a clear ground make then relatively easy to identify as well. Some additional buffing of the etched figures may give certain parts of the design highlights, complimenting the satiny etched effect of the main figures.
Besides the etched crystal, Verlys produced some of their items in colors: amber, topaz, rose, Directoire Blue (a light, true blue) and opalescent. Unfortunately, the color production stopped in 1940, and only etched crystal was produced thereafter.
Besides at least two dozen bowls and more than a dozen vases, Verlys produced a console set, a buffet set, cigarette boxes and ashtrays, candlesticks, bookends and plaques.
World War II brought a drop in production, and the company never returned to it’s pre-war output levels. Production finally ceased in 1951, but, as usual, that was not the end of the Verlys products. The molds were leased by Heisey from 1955 to 1957, and this company produced some items in crystal and turquoise. The molds were purchased in 1966 by the Fenton Art Glass Company, which produced a few items in 1970s in white and black milk glass, purple carnival glass, orange and orange satin glass, and French opalescent glass. The pieces by Heisey and Fenton do not have Verlys scratched name as those produced by the Verlys Company do.
The Verlys products have a nice look and feel, even when the molds are used by other glass houses, and are well worth collecting. Watch for them at antique stores and shows, and on eBay.
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