Epic Line | Viking Art Glass

In 1956, the first "mention" of the Epic line at Viking Art Glass was made in an industry journal. There were 14 pieces in the original line available in 5 colors: amber, amethyst, charcoal, crystal, and olive green. The bowl on the left is the handkerchief bowl #1160 in amethyst. 

The Epic Line was a departure from the tradition form of art glass. It was referred to as a "free-form" line. The actual name "Epic Line" does not have any discernable qualities or meaning that distingished a piece as Epic. It wasn't a name for a specific pattern or shape. Viking used the term as a brand, basically, as a way to identify pieces as made by the Viking Art Glass Co.  

By 1962, the Epic line had grown from the original 14 pieces to include approximately 51 peices and was well on its' way to popularity. The Epic line retail prices in 1962 ranged from $1.50 to $10. WOW! Times have changed. 

Bluenique is one of the colors added to the original 5. The image on the left is my 1962, 14" shallow bowl, #1421 in the bluenique color (introduced in 1958). Pictures don't do it justice. The blue reminds me of the craters inside the reef where the ocean water is still clear but a deeper blue on the island of Guam. 

This peice is rather hard to find on the internet. The shallow bowl was also made in an 8 1/2" and a 22" version. After searching for more than a week, I finally verified a secondary market value and the fact that there are not too many to be had. 

Another piece I own and love is the 6 petal crimped vase, also from 1962, #890, 6 1/2" also in the bluenique color. This piece still has the majority of the "Viking Glass" sticker on it. Again the color is phenomenal in person.

With the popularity of the free-form style, many other glass companies started producing "look-a-likes". If you are a collector, know that most Viking glass bears no stamp or inscription in the glass. Viking used the foil stickers exclusively until close to the end when a few pieces were actually marked in the glass.

Also, because the sticky labels were used, some have found that the label was placed on a non-Viking glass item. The labels themselves were used over many years and the color or style is not an indication of production year or age of a piece. 

The Epic pieces were manufactured in an array of colors and styles. Vases, bowls, animal figurines, smoking items and more bore a modern, almost futuristic style that is synonymous with the Epic name. 

Viking Glass was a large manufacturer of smoking items. Appearing as early as the 1948-49 catalog with more than 30 items available. The smoking items continued through the company's history t0 1970. Items produced included things like:

• Ashtrays
• Covered Cigarette Jars
• Cigarette Holders
• Cigarette Boxes
• Lighters

All were available in a varity of "Viking colors".

Tobacciana items are highly collectible today, even though smoking is more a thing of the past. I actually use a vintage art glass ashtray on my dresser to hold things like coins, watch, earrings when not in use. The glass is so beautiful, I wanted to display it and still have it useful.

The photo is the horseshoe ashtray design in the ruby color. This design spanned over two decades having first appeared in the late 1940's and staying through the late 1960's.

Depending on the color and issue year, these smoking items can be very valuable. The earlier items are harder to find especially in one of the original 5 colors. However, with the decrease in smokers, even vintage smoking items are becoming more scarce. 

For collectors, the ashtrays and cigarette boxes and jars can be used as candy dishes or just displayed in an attractive manner. 

The Epic Line grew, changed and shrank by 1975-76 when it last appeared in their catalog. After ownership changes in the late 1980's, the company finally went into recievership and closed its' doors in May, 1999.   

After the company closed, the Viking glass products immediately became much more collectible. Today, 12 years later, it remains a favorite of collectors. The Epic line may seem a bit messy since they was no real rhyme nor reason to the pieces included in the line, but it is still a favorite of art glass collectors. 

Actually, it's one of my favorites. The colors, free-form designs and styles are still fit with many different decorating styles -- vintage anything being my favorite.  

I have a small Viking Art Glass collection. Family members, auctions, estate sales and even the odd yard sale will produce pieces to add to my collection. Images are from my private collection. 

To read more about Viking's Epic line, visit the Vintage With A Twist website. 

Happy hunting!