I've Got Those Plastic Blues, I pine for wood, porcelin and marble... Options

[Ian House]

I can't think of anything that offends my aesthetic sensibilities more than PLASTIC... Is this it? Are we forever sentenced to live with this stuff until the end of time? Will we EVER return to an age of high refinement and elegance? Just because something can be manufactured by using plastics, must it be? It just never stops. To me, when it comes to manufacturing, using plastic is like "phoning it in" - it's cheap, easy and disposable. It's function without form. (OK, plastic plumbing pipes make sense to me ... but that's it!)

_ _ _

I'm writing about this because I've just returned home from a trip to the market. Along my route, there is a vacant lot where they have been constructing a new church. Today, laying on the ground awaiting to be lifted into place, I saw a prefabricated PLASTIC steeple (fully formed with glorious -ahem- modern architectural detailing) It's a cheap joke -but- Is nothing sacred? It has as much appeal as a Burger King sign -actually, LESS! ... I can't wait to see how beautiful the stained-plastic windows will be.

I recently purchased a new home (which I highly doubt will survive a 19th Century brownstone in Manhattan) ... and I was depressed to learn that the highest grade bathtub offered by the contractor was made out of plastic. So much for the porcelain bubble baths of my lost youth.

True, plastic was invented in 1862 and enjoyed a steady period of experimentation and development throughout the 20th Century (remember Bakelite?) but we are currently reaping the FULL rewards of this chemical miracle child here in the 21st Century. And, it seems, it will only get "better" in the years to come :-( Soon, we will be driving the stuff, wearing the stuff, reading the stuff ... and maybe even eating the stuff as well ...?

This rant has been shrink-wrapped for your convenience.





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This post has been edited by Ian House: Apr 10 2007, 03:22 AM

[Flapper Girl]

I have several pieces of Depression glass, as well as some Carnival glass dishes, which belonged to my mother. The two are quite different. Depression glass came in green or pink and was smooth and clear in nature. Carnival glass is cut glass, is opaque, with orange/purplish tones and has that certain iridescence you mention, Eddie. It's difficult to describe.

Flap

[Ian House]

It's difficult to describe.

Well then, perhaps some photos from eBay will help. Flap, as you can see, your descriptions are extremely accurate and spot on!

Carnival Glass:




Depression Glass: