Uranium Glass - A Guide to Art Deco Uranium Glass

Uranium glass is a distinctive type of decorative glass known for its characteristic fluorescence under ultraviolet light. While it is most commonly associated with widespread production from the late 19th century through the Art Deco period, uranium glass has not disappeared after this era. Limited production continues to this day, particularly in the Czech Republic, primarily in controlled artistic and decorative contexts.

Historic uranium glass objects from the Art Deco period occupy a unique place in the history of European decorative arts due to their material qualities, sculptural design, and cultural significance.

What Is Uranium Glass

Uranium glass is glass colored by the addition of uranium compounds during the manufacturing process. In natural daylight, it typically appears yellow, green, or occasionally blue, while under ultraviolet light it emits a bright green fluorescence.

The uranium content used in decorative glass is relatively low and was historically added for purely aesthetic reasons. This characteristic reaction under UV light remains one of the most reliable ways to identify genuine uranium glass.

Uranium Glass in the Art Deco Period

During the 1920s and 1930s, uranium glass became an important material in Art Deco decorative arts. The period favored stylized forms, geometric motifs, and modern materials, all of which aligned well with the visual qualities of uranium glass.

Art Deco designers used uranium glass for figurines, vases, bowls, boxes, and ornamental objects, where its clarity, color, and interaction with light enhanced sculptural contours and rhythmic design.

Color Variants of Uranium Glass

Uranium glass appears in several distinct color variants, influenced by the composition of the glass, the concentration of uranium compounds, and the production period. While some colors are strongly associated with early 20th-century production, others represent rarer or more specialized variations within uranium glass.

Yellow Uranium Glass

Yellow uranium glass is the most widely recognized and historically significant color variant. In natural light, it displays a warm yellow tone, while under ultraviolet light it produces a vivid green fluorescence. This color was frequently used for figurines, vases, bowls, and other decorative objects.

Green Uranium Glass

Green uranium glass is one of the most characteristic and visually expressive color variants. Its deeper green tone in natural light, combined with strong ultraviolet fluorescence, made it especially suitable for sculptural forms and ornamental objects with pronounced contours.

Blue Uranium Glass

Blue uranium glass represents a more refined and less common color variant. In natural light, it presents a cool, elegant appearance, while under ultraviolet light it still exhibits the characteristic green fluorescence associated with uranium glass. This color was typically used for select decorative objects and sculptural designs.

Deep Green Uranium Glass

Deep green uranium glass differs from standard green variants through its darker, more intense tone. It is less commonly encountered and is often associated with specialized production runs or later variations of uranium glass, making it particularly attractive to collectors.

Amber Uranium Glass

Amber uranium glass is a rare and distinctive color variant characterized by warm amber tones in natural light. While it retains uranium-based fluorescence under ultraviolet light, its visual appearance sets it apart from the more traditional yellow and green uranium glass examples.

Bohemian and Czech Uranium Glass

Bohemia, today part of the Czech Republic, has long been one of the most important centers of decorative glass production in Europe. The region is known for its deep artistic tradition, skilled craftsmanship, and close connection to European design movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Bohemian and Czech uranium glass from the Art Deco period is recognized for its refined forms, balanced proportions, and strong aesthetic identity. The visual language developed in this region during the early 20th century continues to influence both historic appreciation and contemporary uranium glass production.