McClatchy Newspapers

DALLAS -- In its beginning, mercury glass was considered a knockoff of the real silver furnishing the houses of the well-to-do, says Diane Lytwyn, author of "Pictorial Guide to Silvered Mercury Glass" (Collector Books, 24.95).

Today, mercury glass knockoffs still abound — much of the original stuff was too fragile to survive more than a century — but this time around, it's the well-to-do who are collecting it, though it's affordable enough for everyone.

"Groups of the vessels, whether it's bud vases or candy containers, are highly desirable, primarily because of the interest in silver-toned objects and how they mix with the mirrored furniture that is so popular right now," says Kay Chefchis, visual director at Room Service by Ann Fox.

According to Lytwyn, mercury glass was first produced in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic, and came to popularity in the 1850s.

Contrary to its name, elemental mercury was not used to produce tableware. In fact, "silvered glass," an alternative title for mercury glass, better describes how it was produced. Basically, glass was blown double-walled and then filled with liquid silver.

Lytwyn says mercury glass can be considered the very first art glass, produced solely because of its beauty and not for its function, which is why Chefchis warns about using mercury glass pieces for anything other than eye candy.

"Water and silver leaf are not a mix. It will remove the tarnish and remove the silver leaf," she says.

Instead of placing fresh flowers inside a vessel, Chefchis suggests a centerpiece of mercury glass filled with Christmas ornaments or branches.

"Or just leave it alone. It looks architectural, but it has the fragility of glass," she says.

{M3

{M3Sources

{M3Orissa candlesticks (28.95-36.95), Crate and Barrel; tapered lidded urn (59) from Wisteria, 1-800-320-9757, www.wisteria.com; globe finial (37.50) by Global Views available at Jones Walker, 3010 N. Henderson, Dallas; large bird (38) at Vintage Living, 6701 Snider Plaza, Dallas; hurricane vase (49) from Wisteria; flat onion ornaments (4.50) and ball ornaments (4.95), Crate and Barrel; garland (31.50), Vintage Living. Five-tiered finial, 60, Vintage Living, 6701 Snider Plaza, Dallas, 214-360-4211

Christmas tree (97.50), Vintage Living, 6701 Snider Plaza; striped finial (30), Vintage Living; cone finial (37.50) by Global Views available at Jones Walker, 3010 N. Henderson; bubble finial (45), Vintage Living

Compote (60), Vintage Living, 6701 Snider Plaza; 18-inch lidded urn (212), Room Service by Ann Fox, 4354 Lovers Lane; small bird (14), Vintage Living, 6701 Snider Plaza; candlesticks (37.50 and 45), Vintage Living; low dotted silver jar (104) by Go Home available at Stephanie Anne, 4346 Lovers Lane, Dallas.

Three-inch tall bud vase (15) and large etched Bohemia urn (275), Nicholson-Hardie, 5725 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas, 214-357-4348

Seville bud vase (75) available at Stephanie Anne, 4346 Lovers Lane, 214-368-3025;

Bohemia jar available at Stephanie Anne, 4346 Lovers Lane, 214-368-3025

York finial available at Stephanie Anne, 4346 Lovers Lane, 214-368-3025.