Blue carnival glass candle holders, circa 1970′s
Back in the early 1900′s, Tiffany introduced “iridized” art glass. As their process was very expensive so was their retail pricing. But, Fenton Art Glass Company found a way to make it cheap and soon became the King of Carnival, even though other companies all produced their pieces too. By 1920, 50 tons of shiny glassware was being pumped out daily and America couldn’t get enough of it!
Enter a dramatic economic downturn, then the crash and the US was in a depression big time by 1931. The glass factories were overloaded with this iridzed art glass that no one wanted or could buy. Solution? Most of it was sold to the traveling carnivals for pennies on the dollar to be used as game prizes, thus the name Carnival Glass! Actually, the name “carnival glass” was not commonly used until collectors in the 1950s began to refer to it as such.
So, what exactly is it and how is it made? It is basically an inexpensive pressed glass, made in both art and functional objects, always iridescent and comes in a wide spectrum of colors. Its iridescent sheen comes from the application of metallic salts while the glass is still hot from the pressing, then re-firing the glass. This process is sometimes referred to as “doping.” The primary translucent colors that were made were: amethyst, marigold, cobalt, green, and red. It is also made in opaque white, called milk glass, and a translucent pale green, called vaseline or uranium glass. Vaseline glass and uranium glass actually contain traces of uranium salts (uranium dioxide) within the glass, which can be seen as a faint green in reaction to a blacklight. There were a few other colors of uranium glass but were produced in a lot less quantities.
Back to the King of Carnival Glass, the Fenton Art Glass Company. Founded in 1905, Fenton was the first and largest producer of carnival glass, producing an array of different pieces in over 150 patterns. Their quality was exceptional and they were among the few producers who made red carnival glass. Some of their earliest patterns in Carnival were Waterlily and Cattails, Vintage, Butterfly and Berries, Peacock Tail, Ribbon Tie, Wreath of Roses, Thistle, and Diamond and Rib vase. Of course, the depression affected them too so they quit producing carnival glass for many years. But, due to a huge resurgence in its popularity, Fenton produces carnival glass still today.
We offer a lovely berry bowl in one of the earliest patterns, Butterfly and Berries in marigold.
Even though the majority of carnival glass produced in the U.S. was made between 1907 and 1925, with production tapering off almost completely by 1931, significant production continued outside the US. Sowerby was the predominant manufacturer of English carnival glass and began producing in the late 1800′s until the 1940′s. It’s antique pieces are in demand today. Online Glass Museum (a website from New Zealand) has the European historical version of carnival glass and how it came to be called that.
Besides Fenton, carnival glass was produced in large quantity by Northwood, Imperial, Millersburg, Westmoreland, Dugan/Diamond, Cambridge, and U.S. Glass, as well as a few other small manufacturers. Simple pressed glass was iridized by third parties as well.
It would be an understatment to say that carnival glass is highly collectible. The lovely pieces in their translucent glory continue to attract collectors from everywhere. Prices vary widely, with some more common pieces selling for less while rare items command thousands of dollars. Red carnival glass is hard to find and commands a high prices as does complete punch bowl sets in good condition.
Carnival glass collectors can enjoy the benefits of being a part of the International Carnival Glass Association, Inc., an exciting and active organization! ICGA hosts a convention each year where a unique piece of carnival glass is created for the attendees. We offer this fun blue carnival glass Santa from the 1999 ICGA convention!
Check out the other pieces we have to offer at Grandma’s Treasures Online. Also, I’ve found Carnival Heaven an intensive site for beautiful carnival glass!
If you are a beginner collector in carnival glass, beware that it’s identification can be challenging even for an expert, as not all pieces were marked. So, the best advice I can give is to purchase your vintage collectibles from reliable sources. And, as you collect, don’t miss the same thrill that those carnival goers in the 1930′s must have felt when they won a piece of gorgeous art! A treasure indeed.
Do you collect carnvial glass? What is your favorite piece? What part of carnival glass history intrigues you the most? Share your questions and expertise here!
