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Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail
Those of us in the "baby boomer" era, probably remember that "white bumpy glass", as I called it, on the family table. Well, that "white bumpy glass", turns out to be the highly collectible milk glass pattern, known as Milk Glass Hobnail, produced by the Fenton Art Glass Company. I remember a large hobnail bowl and candleholders which was ever present on our table. Mom always had some plastic fruit or some such decoration in the bowl.
In the 1950's, Fenton began their production of the Hobnail pattern, in milk glass. Until 1958, the glass had an almost translucent look, having a distinct "fire" when held to the light. Starting in 1958, the formula was changed to a more opaque white, to compete with the products of the rivaling Westmoreland and Imperial Glass Companies. The success of the White Milk Glass Hobnail pattern, was astounding! Many pieces were made, from tiny vases, dinnerware, baskets, comports and epergnes, to mention a few. One of my personal favorites is the diminutive 6 " Handkerchief Vase
In the mid-1950's Fenton produced pastel colored milk glass, Rose Pastel, Blue Pastel, and Green Pastel, and later Turquoise Pastel after the green was discontinued. As they were only in production for a short time, the Pastel colors are getting harder to find.
The popularity of milk glass has grown since it's beginnings in the 1950's. Today, collector's abound...often competing with each other for hard to find pieces, either online, in bidding wars, at auctions, or trying to be first at the glass show. While not a collector of this "bumpy white glass" myself, the sight of it still brings back memories of simpler days gone by.
To see some great examples of Fenton Hobnail and other milk glass, as well as depression era glassware elegant glass and glassware of the 40s 50s 60s and later, visit me at
Christine Nagy's Depression Glass and More At TIAS.com
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Spring is here and I can just picture some lovely daffodils or tulips in a fantastic Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail Vase or Basket!
References:
A Pictorial Review: Fenton's Hobnail Milk Glassby Shine and Shirley Griffith, 1984
Fenton Art Glass Patterns 1939-1980 by Margaret and Ken Whitmyer, 1999
The Big Book of Fenton Milk Glass 1940-85 by John Walk, 2nd Edition, 2004
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