Carnival glass is an inexpensive pressed glass, made as both functional and ornamental objects, mostly iridescent and of deep amethyst color. It is produced in the U.S. and Britain from the early 20th century until the present. Carnival glass gets its iridescent sheen from the application of metallic salts while the glass is still hot from the pressing, then re-firing the glass. Glass workers sometimes refer to carnival glass as "dope glass" because the process of applying the iridescent coloring to the surface is called "doping".

HISTORY OF CARNIVAL GLASS

Carnival Glass was not an instantaneous development in the history of pressed glass.

Certainly there were other types of iridized glass, such as art glass.

In fact, going back thousands of years, early glass examples have been found to have been iridized by having been buried in ground containing certain chemicals.

But the commercial development of pressed glass with an iridized surface was developed in the United States in the early 1900s.

Frank L. Fenton

Founded in 1905 Frank L. Fenton, The Fenton Art Glass Company was the first and largest producer of carnival glass in the world, producing many different pieces in over 150 patterns.

Frank L. Fenton with the help of his brother, John W. Fenton. Frank had worked for several glass manufacturers prior to this.

At first their factory was involved in the process of decorating other peoples art glass (very rare today)...

Later they moved into glass manufacturing at the current site in Williamstown, West Virginia.

It is generally accepted that Fenton was the first company to introduce iridized glass, in 1907, which they called "Venetian Art."

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 vases.

In the early 1920s, Fenton introduced one of the most desirable colors in Carnival, red.

They also introduced their line of stretch glass late in the '20s.

Aside from stretch glass made during the depression, Fenton made no iridized glass between the early 1930s and 1970, when they introduced their "Original Formula Carnival."

They continue to reissue some of the original patterns and have purchased some molds from the closed companies.

Fenton also has made new molds from which iridized glass is currently being made.

WHERE THE TERM CARNIVAL GLASS CAME FROM

Demand for Carnival Glass decreased towards the end of the 20's and much of it wound up being sold in bulk to dime stores and traveling carnivals and was given away to their patrons as prises ~ which lead  to the name Carnival Glass : )

Most carnival glass was made between 1907 and 1925, with production tapering off by the end 1931 during the great depression.

Even so... A rather significant production of carnival glass pieces continued outside of America’s borders through the depression years of the early 1930s, only to taper off to a trickle by the 1940s.

The term "carnival glass" that we all use to describe this type of glass today was not put into common use until the 1950s when it began to be  referred to as such by collectors...

CARNIVAL GLASS COLORS

Carnival glass is made in many translucent colors, primarily amethyst, marigold, cobalt, green, and red.

It is also made in opaque white, called milk glass, and before the hazards of radiation were well known, it was made in semi-transparent or translucent pale green, called vaseline or uranium glass.

Vaseline glass and uranium glass actually contains traces of uranium salts (uranium dioxide) in the glass, and glows green in reaction to UV light (blacklight).

Other colors of vaseline / uranium glass were produced in lesser quantities.

To check the color of the piece, use a strong light and look through it at a place where there is no iridescence. With a bowl or plate with heavy iridescence, you may have to look through the edge of the collar, or marie, on the bottom.

CARNIVAL GLASS MAKERS

Carnival glass pieces were produced in large quantities by Fenton, Northwood, Imperial, Millersburg, Westmoreland, Dugan/Diamond, Cambridge, and U.S. Glass, as well as in smaller quantities by many little glass factories...

In addition, simple pressed or depression style glassware was iridized by third parties as well.

CARNIVAL GLASS IDENTIFICATION

Identification of carnival glass is frequently difficult.

Many manufacturers did not include a maker's mark in their product, and some did for only part of the time they produced the glass.

Identifying carnival glass involves matching patterns, colors, sheen, edges, thickness, and other factors from old manufacturer's trade catalogs, other known examples, or other reference material.

Since many manufacturers produced close copies of their rivals' popular patterns, carnival glass identification can be challenging even for an expert!

Both the above bowls were pressed from the same mold, but finished differently.

 SOME FINAL THOUGHTS FOR COLLECTORS ON COLLECTING CARNIVAL GLASS  

Most "old things" are considered 'antique' if they were made before 1940.

Things that were "made to be used" over 60 years ago SHOULD show some signs of age and while one does occasionally come across "a real antique piece' in mint condition, most authentic antique carnival glass pieces exhibit some degree of wear and tear.

Should one pass up a rare piece of carnival glass with a small chip or scratch???

Many collectors would say yes!

I for one always try to collect only pieces that show little or no wear.

What should one do when one comes across  a carnival glass piece up for auction on eBay that 'is perfect' for ones collection save for some small imperfection like a small chip or slight finish wear?

If it is rare and authentic, it will show some sign of age to begin with ~ if it does not, then one should at least be suspicious of its authenticity.

Yes, condition is and should be an important factor in determining the value of any piece of carnival glass, but it should not be the only factor.

If one is collecting carnival glass as an investment then one should only buy mint or rare pieces with only minor defect!

But on the other hand , if one collects carnival glass for the pure enjoyment of it , then how could one pass up on that beautiful carnival glass plate, platter, bowl, vase, or goblet with the little chip on the edge when they don't come around that often ~ in any condition!

If the price is close to right, my advice to the true collector is to click on the (Bid) or (Buy It Now) button...rather than wish one had!

Even modern reproduction Carnival glass is highly collectable because of its obvious charm and beauty.

Prices can vary widely, with some pieces selling for very little, and other more rare and unusual items command prices into thousands of dollars and one can find many fantastic examples found...

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