Garden Gab

Mercury glass, once used as a cheap and easily replaceable substitute for silver, is enjoying an upsurge in popularity and is becoming highly sought after for it’s stylish look and exotic forms.

Do you have a collection of mercury glass? You can easily find sparkling vintage selections like these from eBay

Many of us have a box of antique mercury glass (also known as silvered glass) ornaments that stay safely tucked away rather than risking breakage by hanging them on a tree.  It’s a shame to keep these beautiful pieces of art from being seen, and winter’s silver, white and blue themes make it the perfect time to show them off.

Choose a nice mix of both silver mercury glass and painted or colored mercury glass, both of which you can find as vintage pieces or their modern, much more polished equivalents, such as these gorgeous bohemian glass vases from The Shopper’s Link:

Start with one large open piece, such as a basin or platter to hold your fragile ornaments.  If you do not already have one, mercury glass reproductions have become extremely affordable, such as this pedestal bowl from Organize.com.

You can use a beautiful ice blue, white or silver cloth or ribbon to create a soft nest for your ornaments, or for a more modern look, fill your piece halfway with silver or gold jordan almonds and nestle your ornaments into them.  The small almonds will absorb any shocks or jarring movements, protecting your ornaments all while creating a dazzling landscape.

Around your large piece, scatter only a few of your most interesting mercury glass pieces, whether for their pretty colors or interesting shapes.

mercury glass comes in many beautiful forms like these doves from www.vintageweave.com

Surround your pieces with twining deep blue ribbon and scatter more jordan almonds to keep your table from looking bare at the base level of the pieces.

Lastly, add appropriate lighting.  We like candlelight for the way it flickers over the mercury glass, so we’ve chosen these beautiful blue mercury glass candle globes from Garden Torches Only.

Subtle blue mercury glass adds extra shimmer to these candle holders

Because there is such a variety of mercury glass available now, and because they range from antique to modern specimens, your display will be completely unique and beautiful.  Don’t let your collection languish in the dark, with a few precautions and a select number of attractive pieces you can enjoy your mercury glass for years to come.