Crow's Foot Pattern

by Joyce Nichols
Volume 25 No. 7 - March 1999

Early in my glass collecting, I acquired a very attractive luncheon set of vivid red glass with a delicate molded design. I was very ignorant about patterns. All I knew to do was look in Hazel Marie Weatherman's and Gene Florence's glass books to see if I could identify the pattern and the company that made It. In both books, my research came up with nothing. So my next step was to take pieces to my glass club meeting to see if any one there could give me any help. Madelyne Deason did the honors and showed me that the pattern was featured in one of Weatherman's price guides. Was I ever happy! Now I knew what to ask for to add to my collection!

Mrs. Weatherman attributed the glass to the Paden City Company. Paden City Glass Company became known as the "Color Company" when it began introducing vivid colors in the 1920s. Royal blue and ruby glass were introduced in 1932. I am especially interested in the ruby, but I have pieces that are examples of most of the colors that were used In the Crow's Foot pattern.

Now for the Crows Foot pattern. These dishes come in two shapes: line 412 square and line 890 round. These shapes mix and blend beautifully.

There are many beautiful serving pieces in this pattern, and a complete dinner or luncheon service can be put together with a little patience and a good-sized budget. The place setting consists of the regular pieces but many of the other pieces that are listed, I have not seen in the fifteen or twenty years that I have been collecting this pattern.

I have never seen the 10½" dinner plate and do not own a 4 7/8" square bowl, although I have seen the bowl in a color other than my red. I have bought all of the tumblers that I have seen, except one. That was when I thought the price was just too high. I have since found out that in this pattern you must buy what you need and want when it is available. That may be your only chance. This is not a pattern that you see at every show.

Since I have been collecting Paden City's Crow's Foot pattern, I have been able to put together a basic service for eight in luncheon plate, bread and butter plate, cup and saucer, cream soup and liners and have collected three flat tumblers. The serving pieces are my pride and joy" There is a pedestal cake plate, footed compotes of different heights and sizes, a footed sauce dish and a flat gravy along with many bowls and serving plates of different shapes and sizes. There are three kinds of candleholders: a tall one with a round base, a 5¾" pair with keyhole base and a square mushroom shaped one.

The Crow's Foot pattern was used as a blank for many of the Paden City etchings, such as "Orchid," "Peacock Reverse" and sometimes "Cupid." Etched candlestick shown at right.

The fun part of this pattern is the fact that it is out there, but you have to hunt for it! My most productive search was the 1998 NDGA Show in San Antonio. I had my collection on display, and I also got to talk to Michael Krumme, a Paden City expert, who helped me find some pieces that I had overlooked.

There I added amethyst candlesticks, a red pedestal sauce dish, a second pair of red candlesticks and a divided relish Believe it or not, there were pieces I left!

This is a very pretty pattern, nice glass, not very plentiful and usually more expensive than the suggested book prices, but in my opinion the beautiful results are worth the search. Happy searching and if you find something you don't want, let me know!