1950’s Pilsner Glasses

Submitted by Michael Ely December 4th, 2010
Certifikitsch Winner
I think this is the most beautiful set of pilsner glasses I’ve ever seen. The 8 piece set originally belonged to my partner’s aunt back in the 1950’s. She was very stylish (some would say flamboyant) and she loved to have lavish dinner parties. After she passed away, the glasses were inherited by my partner’s mother where they sat on the top self of a cupboard, hidden away for years. Then I discovered them and begged my partner’s mom to give them to me. Now the glasses sit on a top self of my own cupboard (with a glass door so they can be admired), and I NEVER let anyone drink out of them. Well, one year I did break them out for a New Year’s Eve party, but I had panic attacks the whole evening, worried that someone would break one! Don’t know if these photos do them justice (I never realized how hard it can be to take photos of glasses!), but they are gorgeous, pink and black and gold and gorgeous.

11 Responses to “1950’s Pilsner Glasses”

  1. Allee Willis

    These are fantastic. And I can’t believe how many of them you have. Pink, gold and black, the ultimate 50’s color combo.

    What are pilsner glasses? I thought pilsner was the name of the beer.

    I agree, don’t ever let anyone drink out of these type gems and for 1000% sure I never put them in the dishwasher.

    Glasses are a bitch to take a photo of. You did a great job.

    • Michael Ely

      You are right, Allee, in that pilsner is a type of beer, and this shape of glass takes it name from the beer. From Wikipedia: A pilsner glass is used for many types of light beers, including pale lager or pilsner. Pilsner glasses are generally smaller than a pint glass, usually in 250 ml or 330 ml sizes. They are tall, slender and tapered. The slender glass will reveal the colour, and carbonation of the beer, and the broad top will help maintain a beer head.

  2. Lisa Rios

    Perhaps the best set of glasses I’ve ever seen. I know they’re beer glasses but they scream EGG CREAM to me. Jealous button pressed!

  5. windupkitty

    grrrrraaaaahhhhhh!!!!!! YOU’re KILLING me!!!!!! Oh man, these are so beautiful, that I would be happy to turn into one!!! I have a set of vintage pilsner glasses almost like these…they have the etched star pattern (sigh, they match my gorham’s stardust flatware), but are otherwise plain.

    That paint job is insane and fabulous! I’m so glad they are resting comfortably in your cupboard!

    I know what you mean about panic attacks…people know mine are off limits and even if I offer them up, people won’t use them since it just makes it that much harder to be around me :D

  6. Douglas Wood

    They’re so quintessentially 50’s that if I didn’t know they were the real thing I’d assume they were the result of someone trying to create perfect 50’s glasses. Extra kudos for photographing them on the pink and white tablecloth (or whatever that is.)