Carnival glass is a pressed glass (formed in a mold) with an iridescent sheen, with rainbow colors that have that “oil on a puddle” appearance. It was meant to be admired and many styles of vases, candy dishes, compotes, beverage sets, powder boxes, piggy banks, trays and other decorative and useful wares were created. Tiffany and other companies had been making iridescent glass, but in the 1880’s pressed glass was introduced into the United States. The ability to mass produce the glass allowed it to be sold at reasonable prices. Carnival glass was often called “the poor man’s Tiffany” and brightened up dreary homes. Its affordable price made it immensely popular in the early part of the 1900’s.
Traditional colors include translucent marigold, amethyst, cobalt, green, red, and white (milk glass). Pastel colors were more uncommon. Carnival glass gets its iridescent sheen from the metallic salts which are applied while it is still hot from the mold. The piece is then refired, creating the rainbow effect.
Fenton was the first and largest producer of carnival glass in the U.S., and called it “Venetian Art.” It was instantly popular and known for its high quality. Other glass makers followed Fenton’s lead and began producing their own lines of carnival glass. Northwood was another huge manufacturer, and the only glass company that consistently marked their wares. Other companies that mass produced carnival glass were Dugan (later Diamond), U.S. Glass, Imperial, Millersburg, Cambridge and Westmoreland, but there were also smaller manufacturers.
Fenton began producing carnival glass in 1907, and their wares sold as fast as they could produce them. Carnival glass was often given away at carnivals when it was first new, and was desirable prize because it was a lovely thing you could take home to mom. Society folks, who looked down on “common” carnival-goers, didn’t care for the association. When her lady’s maid could own the same lovely glassware as her mistress, interest began to wane. The demand began to taper off about 1925, and by 1931 there were no glass companies producing carnival glass. Production outside the U.S. continued through the 1930’s.
In the 1950’s, when collectors began to show an interest in the vintage glass and it became fashionable again, some glass manufacturers reintroduced carnival glass in both the old designs and new ones. Fenton took care to mark their reproductions, but many other manufacturers were not so considerate.
There are over 2000 patterns of Carnival glass, and manufacturers would take advantage of the lax copyright laws and copy their competitors’ patterns. The lack of markings makes it difficult to tell vintage carnival glass from newer productions. It may take an expert to tell the difference. Matching patterns, sheen, colors, edges, thicknesses and other components to the items in an old manufacturer’s catalogs may help the collector distinguish vintage wares from reproductions. Contemporary pieces are also collectible, but some are more valuable than others. There are many good collectors’ guides available to help identify genuine carnival glass, contemporary pieces, and reproductions.
