Flute, Imperial

The above purple pitcher and six of the tumblers sold for $1,150 in 1995. The tumbler is a variantion referred to as #1. On the right are two additional variants of the tumbler, #2 and #3. Number 2 is a taller tumbler with six straight flutes (#1 also has six flutes), and #3 has nine flutes and a collar base. The #3 tumblers are quite rare. Northwood also made a pattern that collectors call Flute.

Article about the Imperial Flute

Hartung Book Seven: Flute Tumblers

Water sets, 7 pieces

Marigold, 5 pieces, 55 (2012)

Purple, 1,200, 1,850 (both 2001), 825 (2010),
   2,300 (2020)

Purple, small size pitcher, 525 (2013)

Purple, 6 pieces, 700 (2011), 575 (2014), 475 (2021)

Purple, 5 pieces, 500 (2011), 725 (2012)

Water pitchers

Aqua/teal, 525 (2002), 545, 625 (both 2016)

Blue, rare, with 3 tumblers, 800 (2021)

Clambroth, 3 known, 90 (2021)

Honey amber, 900 (2016)

Marigold, 75 (2004), 45 (2007), 18 (2015)

Purple, 600 (2017), 250, 330, 750 (both 2018),
   375, 525 (both 2021)

Purple, with one tumbler, 350 (2016), 450 (2020),
   600 (2021)

Purple, listed as small size, 525 (2014),
   150 (2016)

Teal, 350 (2021)

Milk pitchers

Marigold, 40, 45 (both 1999), 20 (2013), 65 (2018)

Purple, 425 (2018)

Tumblers

Aqua/teal, 140 (2016), 425 (2018)

Blue, #1, 340 (2006), 50 (2019), 150 (2020)

Blue, unspecified style, 80 (2010), 115 (2015),
   75 (2018), 135 (2019)

Cranberry flashing, #1, 10 (2015)

Green, 40 (2019)

Marigold, 5 inches tall, #2, 305 (2000)

Marigold, #4, 55 (2015), 120 (2019), 15 (2021)

Marigold, #5, 30 (2006), 190 (2019)

Purple, #1, 50 (2018), 40 (2019),
   45, 60 (both 2020)

Purple, #1, lot of 2, 160 (2021)

Purple, #1, lot of 4, 180 (2018)

Purple, #2, 55 (2018), 30, 140 (both 2019),
   30 (2020), 70, 75 (both 2021)

Purple, #2, lot of 2, 200 (2018)

Purple, unspecified style, 70, 90 (both 2011),
   50, 55 (both 2015), 60 (2020)

Red, 275 (1992)

Tumblers, #3

Aqua/teal, 325 (1997), 140 (2002),
   100 (2003), 425 (2018), 65 (2019)

Blue, 225 (2018), 100 (2019),
   30, 50, 120, 175 (all 2020)

Marigold, 20 (1998), 35 (2018), 15 (2019)

Marigold, lot of 4, 80 (2021)

Purple, 185 (2001), 80 (2012), 55 (2015),
   160 (2016), 60, 70, 100 (all 2019), 75 (2021)

Purple, lot of 4, 250 (2021)

Imperial apparently also made a slightly different pattern in Flute punch sets known as #3939.
Punch sets, 8-10 pieces

Green, 225 (1997), 300, 350 (both 2006)

Green, 6-7 piece, 550 (2012), 300 (2016), 200 (2019)

Marigold, 12 piece, 450 (2013), 190 (2016)

Marigold, 5 piece, 110 (2016)

Purple, 3,000 (2006), 800 (2017), 1,900 (2020)

Punch bowl and base

Marigold, 1,600 (2013), 55, 85 (2014), 300 (2016)

Purple, 3,100 (2007), 1,250 (2012)

Purple, with 1 cup, 3,600 (2011)

Punch base only

Green, 35 (2014)

Purple, 80 (2011), 75 (2014)

Punch cups

Green, 20 (1998), 35 (2000), 30 (2012)

Marigold, 15 (1998), 5 (2000), 65 (2018)

Purple, 35 (2005), 10 (2007), 45 (2012), 30 (2020)

Celery vase

Marigold, 70 (2013)

Purple, 325 (2009), 425 (2012),
   375 (2015)

Wine glasses (3 known)

Marigold, 145 (1998)

Cordial, 3 inches tall

Marigold, 185 (2014), 225 (2017)

Nappy, handled (berry set cups)

Purple, 70 (2015), 30 (2018)

Console bowl

Smoke, 8 (2007)

The Imperial Flute toothpick holders are the most frequently seen shape in this pattern. On the right is a breakfast set, composed of an open sugar and small creamer.

Hartung Book Three: Flute Toothpick

Toothpick holders

Amber, 85 (2009)

Blue, 850 (2019), 225, 450 (both 2021)

Green, 5 (2016), 10 (2017), 15 (2019)

Helios, 30 (1097), 55 (2000)

Lavender, 125 (2012), 85 (2016), 55 (2017)

Lime green, 115 (2007), 25 (2016), 30 (2021)

Marigold, 5 (2017), 15 (2019),
   10, 135 (both 2021)

Purple, 15 (2019), 10, 75 (both 2020),
   10, 30 (both 2021)

Smoke, 40 (2000)

Vaseline, 65 (2013), 50 (2016), 140 (2018) 		Breakfast sets (creamer and sugar)

Amber, 150 (2011), 250 (2014), 525 (2018),)

Clambroth, 50 (2004)

Marigold, 100 (2012)

Purple, 40, 45, 50 (all 2019), 40, 75, 110 (all 2020),
   70 (2021)

Breakfast creamer or sugar

Amber, sugar, 5 (2007)

Marigold, creamer, 8 (2007)

Purple, creamer, 30 (2006), 15 (2015),
   25, 35 (both 2016), 35 (2017)

Purple, sugar, 30 (2010), 30 (2014),
   40 (2019)

Berry sets, 6-7 piece

Green, 5 piece, 70 (2016), 15 (2019)

Marigold, minor damage, 45 (1998)

Purple, 100 (2018), 80, 90 (both 2019), 210 (2021)

Bowls, 8-9 inches

Green, 10 (2013)

Purple, 120 (1997), 160 (2012), 45 (2015),
   85 (2018), 55 (2020)

Smoke, 10 (2018)

Sauces or small bowls

Blue, 250 (2018)

Purple, 30 (1998), 15 (2013)

Imperial's Flute vase is another of those difficult to recognize patterns, principally because the distinguishing flute characteristic--the flat curved band at the base of each of the flutes--has often been so dissolved by the swinging that it is difficult to see. However, there is another characteristic that helps in identifying the pattern: The tops have eight scallops, one for each flute, with five saw-teeth on each of the scallops.

The base is just under 2 3/4 inches with a hexagonal 24-point star. Heights range from 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches.

In 2010, a blue example sold for $2,700 and also in 2010 a purple example sold for $195. In 2014, an example listed as amethyst, sold for $210. In 2016, a purple vase brought $170. In 2017 marigold vases sold for $5, $15 and $20. Also in 2017 a white Flute vase, just 4 1/2 inches tall, sold for $185. In 2018, a 12-inch purple example sold for $130.

In 2019, a blue 8-inch vase sold for $2.600, marigold sold for $25, and purple sold for $425.

In 2020. an 11-inch purple vase sold for $275.

Prices appear to be somewhat eratic as virtually every maker had a flute vase and auctioneers are not always able to distinguish between them.

In 2004, Alice Widtfeldt sent me these photos of her Imperial Flute vase in blue. It's one of two or three known.

For more on paneled vases, click here.

Updated 5/11/2021