Antique Carnival Glass

This is a type of pressed glass that has an iridized coating and was manufactured by a number of different companies, both domestic and international. Probably the largest manufacturer of carnival glass was Fenton right here in America. It was mainly produced between the 1900s and the 1920s. Although not high-end at the time, much of the original carnival glass is stunningly beautiful in its numerous colors, intricate patterns and varied shapes.

Back at the height of production, it was relatively cheap to make. This glass got its name "carnival" because it was actually given away as prizes at local carnivals. Today, depending on the rarity of the pattern and color, many pieces sell for hundreds and, in some cases, even thousands of dollars. There are a number of different reference books available and it is worth owning one of these books just for the four-color pictures. Some of this glass is truly remarkable.

If you are in a position to see a lot of carnival glass and handle it over a period of time, the good vintage carnival glass is easily identifiable. The quality of the early pieces is far superior to that which was made in the 1970s during its mini rebirth. Although carnival glass is still being made today, you will find it is distinctly inferior to both of the previous versions.

This outstanding glass was produced in many different colors. The real color of each piece is not determined by the iridized coating but by the base color under the coating. In some instances, it is hard to determine the actual base color. In most early pieces, the bottoms were not iridized, which would certainly help with color identification. Some of the colors you will find in early carnival glass are amethyst, blue, green, red, peach opalescent, pastel and marigold - the most common.

In addition to being manufactured in a number of colors, it was also manufactured by a number of different companies over the years. Quite a bit of the older carnival glass is not marked. The company of origin can usually be identified by the look of the pattern. Some companies had similar patterns but the differences are noticeable enough to identify the maker. A carnival glass reference book will help you do this.

Other companies in the United States beside Fenton that made this fabulous glass were Dugan, Imperial, Millersburg, Northwood, Cambridge, McKee, Westmoreland and Jeanette. Since carnival glass was popular all over the globe, it was also produced in countries such as France, Germany and England.

Carnival glass is only one of a number of items from our past that was given away as a premium in laundry detergent, at carnivals and at gas stations. Although no longer used as prizes today, this glass is greatly prized by thousands of collectors all over the world.