��What Precisely is Carnival Glass_
Some collectibles have curious names, take carnival glass as an instance. Possibly you have noticed a piece just before, either loved it or hated it as most individuals do, but we're nonetheless left questioning how it got such a enjoyable name.
Nicely, back in the early 1900s, this iridescent glass was given away at carnivals. Instead of winning a enormous stuffed animal, back then you could score a piece of glass to take home to mother as a prize. Not absolutely everyone liked the carnival glass even though. To the uppity people in the neighborhood, carnivals were for riff-raff, and these prizes had been rejected as getting beneath them.
Luckily, a lot of folks valued this sort of glass sufficient to save a few pieces so collectors can get pleasure from them right now. In reality, most carnival glass things have been purely decorative, so they tended to sit on shelves as "cabinet" pieces undisturbed rather than getting subjected to daily use.
The First Carnival Glass
The process utilised to make these decorative pieces employed a combination of chemicals applied to the pressed glass before firing. The result was a swirled sheen that was much less high-priced to obtain when compared with other kinds of art glass common in the early 1900s, such as Tiffany and Steuben.
The process utilised to make these decorative pieces employed a combination of chemicals applied to the pressed glass before firing. The result was a swirled sheen that was much less high-priced to obtain when compared with other kinds of art glass common in the early 1900s, such as Tiffany and Steuben.
Fun FactCarnival glass is often named the "poor man's Tiffany," which refers to the pricier colorful glass created by New York's Tiffany Studios in between 1878 and 1933.
In 1908, Fenton produced the first American pieces we now know as carnival glass. Northwood also started their production in the identical year. Other companies such as Millersburg, founded by John W. Fenton after the Fenton Art Glass venture proved profitable, and Dugan also produced stunning carnival pieces. In reality, Dugan manufactured its wares until the business closed in 1931 due to a fire, according to The On the web Glass Museum.
The genuine rage in carnival glass production lasted about ten years by means of 1918. The industry for the glass, along with the production, then moved overseas to countries like England, Germany, and Czechoslovakia where it was made and sold throughout the 1920s and into the '30s.
Notable Marks, Patterns, and Colors
Most of this iridescent glass was not marked�with Northwood's pieces becoming the notable exception. Most Northwood pieces are indeed marked with an underscored capital N�within a circle. While an additional carnival glass developed for the duration of the identical era is definitely as desirable as Northwood's, it is the presence of these markings or "signatures"�that make it one of the most well-liked carnival glass names with collectors nowadays.
Most of this iridescent glass was not marked�with Northwood's pieces becoming the notable exception. Most Northwood pieces are indeed marked with an underscored capital N�within a circle. While an additional carnival glass developed for the duration of the identical era is definitely as desirable as Northwood's, it is the presence of these markings or "signatures"�that make it one of the most well-liked carnival glass names with collectors nowadays.
A range of patterns adorned carnival items, and they came in several various shapes. It's not uncommon to find compotes, candy dishes, vases, pitchers, tumblers, cream , nd sugar sets, and even pin dishes completed with the carnival sheen. These can all be found in beautiful patterns such as Fenton's "Peacock Tail" and Northwood's "Grape and Cable." And the colors varied as a lot as the patterns. Some of the most widespread colors consist of marigold, amethyst, green, and vibrant blue. Discovering a piece in red is deemed to be a uncommon locate as are pastel colors like aqua, ice blue, and peach.
The Carnival Glass Revival
The carnival look became fashionable again for the duration of the 1950s as early collectors started noticing the older pieces around that time. Glass firms started to recognize the potential for profits and revived the iridescent finish as soon as once more. These pieces are sometimes referenced as "late carnival" by collectors.
The carnival look became fashionable again for the duration of the 1950s as early collectors started noticing the older pieces around that time. Glass firms started to recognize the potential for profits and revived the iridescent finish as soon as once more. These pieces are sometimes referenced as "late carnival" by collectors.
A good instance is Jeanette Glass Company's Iris & Herringbone pattern, which was created in clear glass throughout the Depression era. In the 1950s, the organization started creating the pattern with a appear that imitated marigold carnival glass but with a shinier finish in comparison.
Causing further confusion for collectors, several organizations introduced new lines of carnival glass in the 1960s using both their original styles and new patterns. Fenton and Imperial had been amongst these producers. Some pieces have been marked to help distinguish the older things from, the newer ones, but several were not. Consulting a great guide on this subject can support when sorting out the variations because all these pieces are collectible now (even these created in the '60s) but some are much more valuable than others.
1 reference advised by quite a few collectors is the Normal Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass by Bill Edwards for Collector Books (now out of print, but available by way of employed booksellers), though there are other folks on the industry that cover the subject equally as effectively.
It's also wise to maintain in mind that there are numerous carnival glass reproductions on the industry today. One of the best on-line sources for reproduction data is David Doty's Carnival Glass site.