cranberry glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist / Collecting / Antique-related
Quick answer
What does “cranberry glass” mean?
A deep red or pink glassware, coloured with gold salts or selenium, typically used in decorative objects and tableware.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deep red or pink glassware, coloured with gold salts or selenium, typically used in decorative objects and tableware.
Refers to both the material itself and the collectible objects (e.g., vases, bowls, decanters) made from this distinctive coloured glass, often associated with the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is identical in both varieties due to its technical/specialist nature.
Connotations
Connotes antique collecting, heritage, and craftsmanship equally in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language, but common within the specific domains of antiques, auction catalogues, and decorative arts history in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “cranberry glass” in a Sentence
[Noun Phrase] + is made of cranberry glass.The + [Noun] + is cranberry glass.A + [Noun] + of cranberry glass.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cranberry glass” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cranberry-glass epergne was the centrepiece of the auction.
American English
- She found a cranberry-glass pitcher at the flea market.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in auction house descriptions, antique dealerships, and insurance appraisals for collectibles.
Academic
Used in art history, material culture studies, and histories of decorative arts and glassmaking.
Everyday
Rarely used. Might appear in conversations about antiques, inheritance, or home decor among enthusiasts.
Technical
Used in glassmaking, conservation, and museology to specify a type of coloured glass and its chemical composition (involving gold chloride or selenium).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cranberry glass”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cranberry glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cranberry glass”
- Using it as an adjective without a noun ('It is cranberry' – incorrect; should be 'It is cranberry glass' or 'It is made of cranberry glass').
- Confusing it with transparent red glass or 'cranberry' as a colour modifier for other materials (e.g., 'cranberry dress' is unrelated).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It ranges from a deep pink to a rich, opaque ruby-red, but is consistently within that berry-like spectrum.
It was especially popular during the Victorian and Edwardian eras (late 19th to early 20th century).
It can be, depending on age, rarity, maker, and condition. Pieces by known manufacturers like Thomas Webb or Stevens & Williams command high prices at auction.
Historically, yes, it was used for tableware like glasses and decanters. However, antique pieces are now primarily collectibles and decorative items.
A deep red or pink glassware, coloured with gold salts or selenium, typically used in decorative objects and tableware.
Cranberry glass is usually specialist / collecting / antique-related in register.
Cranberry glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrænbəri ɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrænˌberi ɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the deep red colour of cranberry sauce; 'cranberry glass' is glass of that same rich, opaque red colour.
Conceptual Metaphor
MATERIAL FOR OBJECT: The substance ('glass') stands for the items made from it (e.g., 'She collects cranberry glass').
Practice
Quiz
What primarily gives cranberry glass its characteristic colour?