Carnival glass was invented many years ago.  It was originally made for just that purpose, as prizes in carnival side shows.  Of course, the stuff used for that purpose is nowhere near the quality and beauty of the glassware we now love and enjoy as Carnival Glass.

What is carnival glass?  It is normally produced glassware, which is coated with a metal oxide and refired.  This produces a refracting surface on the glass, which causes it to produce multiple colors of the spectrum as light is reflected off the various angles of the piece.  The basic glass comes in many colors; but, it's very difficult to determine the actual color of the base glass; except, on the base or some other area where the refracting glaze was not applied.  Many companies made carnival glass.  Most notably were Fenton, Indiana, Fostoria, Imperial, Northwood, Millersburg and Dugan.  There were also a number of glassmakers in Europe and Scandinavia who made fine Carnival Glass.  Many of the earlier pieces, are very rare and expensive.  They are also beautiful and stunning.  You almost have to see them to believe the color renditions that were obtained from the glazing process.

There are a number of excellent reference books available on Carnival Glass, which will help in identification of the makers and the designs.  Most notably are:  "Collecting Carnival Glass" by Marion Quintin-Baxendale; and, "Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass", by Bill Edwards and Mike Carwile."

There are many pieces of excellent Carnival Glass available on EBAY.  There is a special category, within the POTTERY-GLASS heading, for these pieces.  With a bit of careful shopping, one can obtain some beautiful and very collectible pieces at a very reasonable price from these merchants.

Carnival Glass must NEVER be washed in a dishwasher.  The abrasive detergents and high water pressure in these machines will destroy the iridescence of the piece and render it useless.  By the same token, no abrasive cleaners must ever be used, such as brillo pads, steel wool, scouring powder, etc.