You’ve seen them. Even if you don't know the name, you’ve definitely seen that glowing, honey-colored glass sitting on a dusty shelf in a thrift store or staged perfectly in a high-end mid-century modern living room. We’re talking about the amber Viking glass vase.
It’s heavy. It’s loud. It’s unapologetically orange.
But here’s the thing: while some people dismiss it as "grandma’s basement clutter," serious collectors are currently scouring eBay and estate sales, ready to drop a couple hundred bucks on the right piece. Viking Glass wasn't just making flower holders; they were capturing the post-war American spirit in melted silica. The company, officially the Viking Glass Company (born out of the New Martinsville Glass Company in 1944), leaned hard into the "Epic" line starting in the 1950s. This is where those legendary swung vases come from.
The Weird Alchemy of the Amber Viking Glass Vase
There is a specific science to that color. It isn't just "brownish." Viking called it Amber, and it has this weird, liquid-gold quality when the sun hits it. This wasn't achieved by accident. Glassmakers used sulfur and carbon to get that precise tint. Depending on the heat of the kiln and the specific batch of sand from the Ohio River Valley, you might get a light straw color or a deep, dark beer-bottle glow.
The "Epic" line changed everything.
Basically, the craftsmen would take a hot glob of glass out of the mold—usually something like a "Six-Petal" or "Diamond Point" base—and then they’d swing it. Literally. They used tongs to swing the glass in a physical arc, letting centrifugal force and gravity stretch the neck out. This is why you will never find two Viking swung vases that are identical. One might be 12 inches tall with a fat neck, while its "twin" from the same mold is 24 inches tall and skinny as a rail.
It’s handcrafted chaos.
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How to Tell if It’s Actually Viking (And Not Just Old)
Honestly, identifying these things is a bit of a nightmare because Viking rarely signed their work. They used paper labels. Obviously, after 60 years of being washed in soapy sinks, those labels are long gone. So, you have to look at the feet.
Most amber Viking glass vase specimens feature a "six-petal" base. Look at the bottom. Do you see six distinct, rounded "toes" or petals? If it’s a "three-foil" or has a very specific "thumbprint" pattern, you’re likely looking at Viking. However, be careful. Fenton and LE Smith were also making similar swung vases at the same time. LE Smith’s "Simplicity" line looks remarkably like Viking, but the glass is often slightly thicker and the colors are a bit more "muddy." Viking glass has a clarity that’s hard to fake.
Check the "swing" marks. On a real Viking piece, the top of the vase (the mouth) should look organic. It should have those delicate, flame-like points that feel smooth to the touch. If the edges feel sharp or look like they were cut with a machine, it’s probably a modern reproduction or a cheaper brand.
Why Does Amber Matter More Than Other Colors?
Viking made glass in Persimmon (a bright orange), Avocado (that classic 70s green), and Bluenique (a vibrant cobalt). But Amber is the sleeper hit.
In the 1960s, Amber was everywhere. It was the safe, neutral choice. Because of that, people threw it away in the 80s and 90s. They were sick of it. Now, as the "Grandmillennial" and MCM (Mid-Century Modern) design trends have taken over, that warm, earthy Amber is exactly what people want to balance out all the white and grey furniture in modern homes. It adds a "soul" to a room that a plastic vase from a big-box store just can’t replicate.
The Market Reality: Prices and Pitfalls
Let's talk money.
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If you find a small, 10-inch amber swung vase at a garage sale for $10, buy it immediately. You've won. On the secondary market, those smaller pieces usually go for $45 to $75. But the "floor-stoppers"—the vases that stand 2 feet tall or higher—can easily fetch $200 to $400 depending on the complexity of the base.
The "Persimmon" color usually commands the highest price, but "Amber" is rising fast because it's more versatile for year-round decor. People aren't just buying these for flowers anymore. In fact, putting water in an old Viking vase is actually a bit risky.
Why? Because "sick glass" is a real thing.
If you leave water sitting in an amber Viking glass vase for months, the minerals in the water can actually leach into the glass, creating a permanent cloudy white film that no amount of vinegar can scrub away. Serious collectors display them empty or use dry pampas grass.
Is the Viking Glass Obsession Over?
Not even close.
The factory in New Martinsville, West Virginia, closed its doors for good in the late 1980s (though Dalzell-Viking tried to keep the flame alive for a bit longer). This means there is a finite supply. Every time a kid knocks one off a table or a careless mover drops a box, the value of the remaining vases ticks up just a tiny bit.
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Collectors like Dean Six, who literally wrote the book on West Virginia glass, have noted that Viking was the "working man's art glass." It wasn't as pretentious as Steuben or as delicate as some European imports. It was sturdy, bold, and uniquely American. It represented a time when even a middle-class family in the suburbs could have a piece of hand-swung art on their mantel.
Spotting the Fakes and "Franken-Vases"
You have to be careful about "marriages." This is when someone takes a Viking base that was broken and glues it to another piece of glass. It sounds crazy, but with prices rising, people get desperate. Always run your finger along the seam where the body meets the base. It should be one seamless piece of glass.
Also, look for the "glow." While Amber isn't typically "UV reactive" like Uranium glass (which glows neon green), some older amber batches had trace amounts of manganese. If you hit it with a 365nm blacklight, it might give off a faint, ghostly lime-yellow glow. It’s a cool party trick, but it also helps verify the age of the batch.
Making Your Amber Viking Glass Vase Pop
If you've managed to snag one, don't just shove it in a corner. These pieces were designed to play with light.
- Backlighting is key. Place your vase on a windowsill where the afternoon sun can hit it. The amber will "ignite" and cast a warm glow across the room.
- Cluster them. A single vase looks lonely. Professional decorators often group three vases of varying heights together. This creates a "skyline" effect that emphasizes the unique "swung" necks.
- Keep it dry. Avoid using it for actual bouquets. If you must use real flowers, put a smaller plastic cylinder inside the vase to hold the water so it never touches the vintage glass.
- Dusting. Use a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals. The "sheen" on Viking glass is part of its value, and abrasive cleaners can micro-scratch the surface over time, dulling that 1960s luster.
The amber Viking glass vase is more than just a relic of a bygone era. It’s a physical manifestation of a time when American manufacturing was at its peak and "handmade" was the standard, not the exception. Whether you’re a hardcore collector or just someone who likes the way it looks on a bookshelf, owning a piece of New Martinsville history is a way to keep that craftsmanship alive.
To start your collection properly, focus on finding pieces with the original "Hand Made" foil sticker if possible, as this preserves the highest resale value. If the sticker is gone, prioritize the height and the "clarity" of the amber tint. Avoid any pieces with "bruises"—small, moon-shaped internal cracks—as these can expand with temperature changes and eventually shatter the vase. Stick to reputable antique malls or verified glass dealers on platforms like Etsy or Ruby Lane to ensure you're getting authentic West Virginia glass rather than a modern "slick" imitation.
Check the base for the "six-petal" design. This is the most iconic Viking hallmark and generally the most sought-after by those looking for the "Epic" line aesthetic. Once you find one, keep it away from high-traffic areas where it might be tipped over; these vases are top-heavy by design and surprisingly fragile at the tips.