Victorian uranium glass vase with applied rigaree decoration by Stevens & Williams

This vase exemplifies the innovative glassmaking techniques of Stevens & Williams, a prestigious English glasshouse operating in Stourbridge during the Victorian era (1837–1901). The company was renowned for producing high-quality art glass featuring elaborate applied decorations, including the distinctive rigaree (applied glass threading) and acanthus leaf motifs seen here. The use of uranium glass, which fluoresces under UV light, was particularly popular during this period and showcases the technical mastery of Victorian glassmakers. Victorian art glass pieces like this vase are highly prized by collectors of antique glassware, decorative arts enthusiasts, and those specializing in English glass from the Stourbridge region. The combination of uranium glass with hand-applied decorative elements makes these pieces particularly desirable for their craftsmanship, historical significance, and the distinctive aesthetic of the Victorian era. Collectors value these items for their rarity, artistic merit, and as tangible examples of 19th-century glassmaking innovation.