You have heard of Tiffany but how about Durand Or Quezal? At the start of the 20th century, there was a rush to get into the Art Glass business, and the beauty of it swept the country. The iridescent and luster finishes developed during this time seemed to brighten the rather gloomy times of that era. But those who were fortunate enough to be prospering at the time, wanted to put on the airs of prosperity, and these items appealed to them.
The Durand company was started by Victor Durand in 1897. It was called the Vineland Flint Glass Works. Their company was formed in Vineland New Jersey.
The collapse of the Quezal Art Glass company, gave Mr. Durand the opportunity to hire Martin Bach Jr. who had been the greatest influence on the art glass produced by Quezal, and whose father, Martin Bach Sr. had been a chemist and formulator for Louis Comfort Tiffany. In 1924 Bach, Jr. set up the art glass shop in Vineland for the Durand's. Bach immediately began to hire members of his team from the disbanded Quezal company.
They began making the golden amber glass similar to that of Tiffany. Also they make thread glass items and pieces that contained hearts and vines, king tut and peacock feather like Tiffany.
The early Art Glass produced by the Durand's was not marked, but later pieces were marked Durand and often included a V. You will always find a ground pontil on the Durand pieces.
Victor Durand was killed in a car crash in 1931. When Colonel Evan Kimble took over, he didn't wish to continue the Art Glass business. so any glass that hadn't been sold he sold to the workers for ten cents an item. Any of the pieces left, were destroyed.
The best Durand vase that I ever bought was about 14 inches tall blue iridescent vase. I paid about about $250. After enjoying it for a while, I let it go for $1,250.00.
Today, pieces of Durand that are less common will bring from $2000 to $5000.
In my searches I find that it is more difficult to discover a great piece of Durand than it is for Tiffany or Quezal.
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HI, How about Dugan? I recently appraised a piece of art glass that I almost wrote off as Venetian. Big Mistake! It was actually a Dugan piece. They are so like early Venetian pieces that they could be a real find! Vicki H.
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