This lovely, matte finished dresser box is just scant of 3.5 inches in diameter, and approximately 2.5 inches high. Malachite is a green copper carbonate mineral which occurs naturally and has concentric layers. It polishes to a high gloss and is used for ornaments. Malachite glass is intended to look like malachite, or more generally, to look like marble.

The term was used by many glassworks in the 19th century, each with their own variation on the theme. Hand finished pieces often have a dull, matte sheen, where modern pieces often have a bright, glassy sheen.

The Loetz factory in Austria introduced their Marmorierte glass (imitation stone) in "Malachite" in the 1880's. This was green with clear or white streaks and a gold enamelled pattern, and was continued until 1910. There was also a dark amber variant. Today this glass is often termed "slag glass".

Most of the molds for Bohemian malachite glass were designed by Curt Schlevogt in the 1930's and first produced under the name "Ingrid" by the Riedel glassworks. They have been continuously produced since that time, with only a short break during the second world war. Originally offered in jade green and lapis blue, they have since been made in a wide range of colours.