Glass Toothpick
Holders from the
Glass Encyclopedia
Toothpick holder in
carnival glass
Nautilus pattern
Glass Toothpick Holders became popular in the 19th century with the introduction of disposable wooden and quill toothpicks. Before that time toothpicks were a personal item often made of gold, silver, or ivory and kept in a similarly expensive pocket case.
The typical Victorian table set included a toothpick holder alongside the salt, pepper and condiments containers. They were usually made from pottery, glass, or metal, and often in matching sets.
Glass toothpick holders were made by nearly all the great 19th century glass makers in the USA and in Europe. When matching sets of glass tableware became popular, the toothpick holder was an essential part of the set. Their heyday was from about 1895 to 1905, after which post-Victorian etiquette frowned on using toothpicks at the dining table, so they became less popular. Also about that time, cheap imports from Europe caused many US glass producers to cut out some items from their lines.
Toothpick holders became popular again as collectors items and were re-introduced later in the 20th century by companies focussing on collectible glass. Some were reproduced, like the little Nautilus one in blue carnival glass shown on the left. They are still made and still very popular today.
They make excellent collectibles because they are small and easy to display, not as expensive as some other glass items, and come in a very wide variety of colors and types of glass. Many toothpick holders sell for less than US$20 and there are always plenty available to buy at glass fairs and auctions or from glass dealers.
Some of the most valuable glass toothpick holders are art glass made in Europe. Ellen Schroy quotes the following prices for toothpick holders in Warman's Glass 3rd Edition:
