Definition of Carnival Glass

Carnival glass originally got it's name because it was often given away as prizes at carnivals. The name was also given to this collectible, pressed glass by its collectors as a blanket term to cover the many different patterns of their beloved iridescent treasures. Carnival glass can be a wonderful addition to your home decoration scheme, and can easily fill a room in no time if you get hooked on collecting its rainbow of colors, shapes and patterns.

Features

Carnival glass is pressed glass that has been formed by being pressed into a mold while molten hot, and then treated with metallic oxide sprays or vapors, which give it an iridescent coating. This process is performed before firing the piece. The glass has a multicolored rainbow appearance when you hold it to the light, like oil sitting on top of a puddle of water. This is called a satin finish. Another popular finish is called "radium finish," which has a shiny, mirror-like appearance and is more watery looking.

History

The Fenton Art Glass Company of Williamstown, West Virginia, made the first carnival glass, originally known as iridill, around 1908. It is the only original manufacturer still operating today. The Northwood Glass Company of Wheeling, West Virginia, also began making carnival glass at the same time. Imperial Glass and Millersburg, of Ohio, produced pieces near that time through 1925, along with Dugan and Westmoreland, of Pennsylvania. After that period, the glass was manufactured in Europe, Australia and South America from the mid-1920's through the 1930's. No American companies appear to have produced the glass during those years. Fenton and Imperial began making carnival glass again, in the 1960's, and put trademarks on their pieces so they could be distinguished from the older glass. Northwood had always marked their carnival glass with an "N" within a circle, throughout their production of their pieces. The Jeannette Glass Company made a Marigold (orange) carnival glass in the 1950's, and a two-tone red and yellow version in the 1970's.

Shapes

Carnival glass can be found in many shapes. Compotes, bowls, plates, vases, candy dishes, and tumblers are some of the pieces that are relatively easy to find at flea markets, antique shops and shows, and many can be found on the Internet for sale. You may find a pitcher, a punch bowl set, or a table set with a creamer, sugar bowl, a covered butter dish, and a spooner, which can be a little harder to find. Carnival glass also comes in countless special pieces that are a real find such as: candlesticks, powder jars and toothpick holders.

Patterns and Colors

There are over 2,000 patterns of carnival glass. Some of the most popular are: "Dragons and Lotus," "Peacock Tail" and "Swirled Flute" by Fenton; "Grape and Cable" and "Fine Rib" by Northwood; and Imperial's "Morning Glory." The most common colors found in carnival glass are: marigold, amethyst, green, white and blue. The more rare colors are the pastels, such as aqua, ice blue and peach.

Considerations

There are reproductions of carnival glass that are nearly impossible to distinguish from the originals, unless you have a trained eye. Read educational books and value guides on carnival glass, and study and handle many pieces to learn the differences between old glass and new.