Three Faces is a pattern in Early American Pressed Glass (EAPG) that is generally attributed to John Ernest Miller who worked for Duncan and Sons in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Rumor has it that the face is in the likeness of Elizabeth Miller, who was Ernest’s wife.  It was first introduced around 1878 and was produced until the factory burned down in 1892.  Like most pressed glass patterns, a lot of reproductions have been made over the years and this pattern is no exception.  However, the Duncan Miller originals are usually identifiable because of the quality of the craftsmanship in the molded pieces and the color of the glass itself. The colors on the reproductions are not as crisp and tend to be grayer than in the originals.

Due to the many reproductions, these Three Faces patterned glass is hard to put a value on.  True Duncan Miller pieces can go for hundreds if not thousands of dollars depending on the piece.  We recently saw a nine inch vase, in the Three Faces pattern, with leaf etching around the top of the vase and a scalloped rim go for about $70.  However, we have also been at auctions where we have seen a glass cookie or biscuit jar go for more than $1200.  It is generally accepted that the more ornately decorated pieces, like ones with a beaded rim, usually go for the higher prices.  The original molds were lost when in the fire of 1892.