Burmese Glass Values: Mt. Washington vs. Gunderson
Burmese glass — a heat-sensitive Victorian art glass that shades from soft pink to creamy yellow-green — was developed by Mt. Washington Glass Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1885. The color is achieved through uranium oxide (producing the yellow) and gold chloride (producing the pink), with the blush appearing where the glass was reheated. Mt. Washington originals in good condition sell for $200-$3,000+. English Burmese by Thomas Webb and Sons commands similar or slightly lower prices. Gunderson Burmese from the 1950s runs $80-$400.
Mt. Washington Burmese — Identifying Originals
Mt. Washington Burmese (1885-1895) is characterized by a soft, satin matte finish on most pieces — achieved through acid treatment — though shiny (glossy) Burmese examples exist and are rarer. The color range runs from a warm salmon-pink at the top to a banana-yellow at the base, with the transition appearing gradual and even. Pieces with painted decoration — Queen's Burmese Pattern with ivy, berries, or insects — command the highest prices: $600-$3,000+ for well-decorated examples. Plain undecorated satin Burmese vases run $200-$600 depending on size and form complexity.
Thomas Webb English Burmese
Thomas Webb and Sons of Stourbridge, England produced licensed Burmese under the Queen's Burmese Ware name from 1886 onward. Webb Burmese is distinguished by slightly lighter color saturation and finer surface texture compared to Mt. Washington. Webb pieces with heavy enamel decoration — flowers, butterflies, bamboo — sell for $300-$2,000. Undecorated Webb Burmese runs $150-$500. Webb marks are rare; most identification relies on decoration style and glass characteristics. Webb tended toward more elaborate enamel work; Mt. Washington toward simpler or acid-painted decoration.
Gunderson and Later Reproductions
Gunderson Glass of New Bedford (successor to Pairpoint and Mt. Washington operations) produced Burmese glass from the late 1940s through the 1950s under the name Gunderson Peachblow. These pieces are legitimate collectibles, not fakes — they were made by former Mt. Washington craftsmen using similar techniques. Gunderson Burmese sells for $80-$300 for standard vase and bowl forms. The color is slightly more orange-pink than original Mt. Washington, and the yellow base tends toward a brighter lemon rather than banana. Fenton also produced Burmese-style glass from the 1970s onward; Fenton Burmese sells for $40-$150.
Decorated vs. Undecorated Values
Decoration multiplies Burmese values significantly. Pieces with elaborate hand-painted enameling — particularly Queen's Burmese ivy and berries, dragonflies, or Egyptian Revival motifs — command 3-6x the price of equivalent undecorated forms. Acid-etched decoration (ferns, thistles, geometric panels) adds 50-100% over plain. Gilt rim decoration adds 20-40%. Decoration condition matters: flaking or worn enamel reduces value by 30-60%, and worn gilding reduces the premium almost entirely. A plain satin Burmese vase in perfect condition outperforms a heavily decorated piece with flaking enamel.
Forms and Rarity
Burmese glass appears in a wide range of forms. Vases (4-10 inch height) are most common and sell in the $150-$600 range for Mt. Washington originals. Fairy lamps — small candle holders with Burmese shade — are highly desirable at $200-$800. Pitchers and creamers run $150-$500. Rare forms include full-size oil lamp shades ($400-$1,500), jack-in-the-pulpit vases ($300-$800), and complete table sets (creamer, sugar, spooner, butter). A complete Burmese 4-piece table set in matching color and decoration can reach $1,500-$4,000 at estate auction.
Victorian art glass at estate sales rewards detailed photography. List Burmese glass on FindA.Sale with closeups of the color transition and any enamel decoration — collectors need both to assess value remotely.