Carnival glass bowls form a part of a larger 0
Carnival glass bowls form a part of a larger set of collectibles called carnival glass. Carnival glass is an inexpensive pressed glass to which an iridescent coating is applied or sprayed on, giving it an oil-like sheen. The process is known as doping, and hence the term “dope glass” was given to this particular form of glass. Being initially produced in the early 1900s the sales started to fall in the late thirties.
The glass manufacturer Fenton is the first, largest and widely recognized producer of carnival glass. To start with, this company decorated blank glass produced by other companies. In 1907 they started creating carnival glass. Fenton marketed its glassware immediately after starting production as “Iridill” or iridescent ware. This became popular and many other companies followed suit by making and marketing their own carnival glass bowls.
During the Depression in the late 1920s, demand on products began to decrease which impacted to sales reduction and partly dissemination of the market of glass companies. Because of this, some companies started selling merchandise to extremely low prices, which led to closure of business, just to get rid of stocks to carnivals which they use as prizes on games.
“Carnival glass” refers to glass bowls given as carnival prizes in the early part of the 20th century, as well as reproductions made by several companies in the 1950s, thanks to renewed popularity at that time. Today, both the antique Fenton style and the later styles are prized by collectors.
If you’re looking for carnival glass, your best bet presently would be auctions, antique shops or online for various prices. Fenton antique glass in particular fetches high prices, along with other popular carnival glass. Marigold and dark hues - such as blue and green - are some of the most common colors. Red pastel colored carnival glass bowls are the most prized and expensive variety. One rare ice-blue colored plate in particular sold for an amazing $16,327.55 on a popular auction website!
There are many resources available for a would- be collector. Many books and websites are available containing information on antiques, their shapes, colors and where they came from. A great way to learn more about antique collecting is through joining organizations of would-be enthusiast.
One great collectible is carnival glass bowls. These are produced by pressing the glass and coating it which gives it shiny look. This process is known as doping, hence this glass is also sometimes referred to as dope glass. Adopted in the early 1900s it lasted only till the mid to late thirties, and today is extinct. One company, fenton glassware was marketed as “Iridill” or iridescent ware. It quickly became a hit and many other companies began copying them. The demand for their products began to decline in the late twenties. Today, both the antique Fenton glass and the later styles are prized.
