Carnival glass originated in the early 1900s, and production waned in the mid to late thirties. The bowls of carnival glass are part of a larger collection of collectable items known as carnival glass. Carnival glass is coated with iridescent, giving it an oil-like sheen and this glass is inexpensive. This process is known as doping and hence many leading glass manufacturers call it “dope glass”.
The first, and largest, widely recognized producer of carnival glass was by the company Fenton. Fenton first began as a company that decorated blank glass produced by other companies, and then started creating carnival glass in 1907. When they started production, Fenton glassware was marketed as “Iridill” or more simply, iridescent ware. It quickly became a hit and many other companies began making and marketing their own carnival glass bowls.
The demand for their products began to decline in the late twenties. The reason for the decline was the decreasing sales during the depresion and partly also due to the saturation of the market by glass companies. To reduce the dead stock companies began to sell their wares at deeply discounted prices to carnivals, which was used by the carnivals as prizes in their games. During this period many companies shut shop.
Known as “carnival glass” by glass collectors, the popularity of carnival glass bowls surged in the 1950s. Originally used as carnival prizes, today reproductions are made by several companies. Fenton glass in particular is a prized collectible and the most frequently manufactured.
You can find carnival glass for sale at auctions, antique shops and online. Prices vary, with the Fenton antique glass and other well-known producers demanding the higher prices. The more common colors are marigold and dark hues like blue and green. Red or pastel colored carnival glass bowls are the most prized and, therefore, the higer priced pieces. A rare ice-blue plate sold on a popular auction website for $16,327.55!
For the newbie collectors, there are a lot of resources with plenty of information. A lot of web sites and books are out there for information on the many sizes and shapes these antiques are available. There are organizations for would-be enthusiasts too, which is a good method to learn more.
Carnival glass bowls are produced by pressing the glass and coating it with an iridescent coating which gives it shiny look. The largest producer of carnival glass was Fenton glassware. When demand began to decline in the late twenties, companies began selling their wares at deep discounts to carnivals, which gave away the glass as prizes. You can find carnival glass everywhere. Antique Fenton glass and other well-known producers command higher prices. Common colors include marigold, blue, and green. Red or pastel bowls are the most prized. A rare ice-blue plate sold for $16,327.55! There are lots resources for collectors, including web sites, books, and collector organizations.