Fenton carnival glass

Carnival Glass is pressed glass that has been iridised. The glass is firstly pressed into a mould while molten, and being in liquid form, takes on the shape of the mould. After it has been removed from the mould, it is sprayed with a coating of liquid metallic salts. This gives the surface an iridescent lustre, similar to the effect of oil floating water.

Although the technique was known in Roman times, it was not until 1907 that it was revived by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Other manufacturers taking note of their success followed suit and were able to produce a more... cheaper product by spraying the mixture on the glass, instead of including it in the glass mixture as Tiffany was doing.

Carnival glass was at its peak of popularity from about 1908 to the 1920's and as its popularity declined manufacturers, were left large stocks they were unable to sell. Popular legend has it that it was sold cheaply to travelling showman for prizes at carnivals, from whence came the name by which it is known today, carnival glass.

Prior to this, it went under a variety of names, including Iridill, Imperial Jewels, Imperial Art Glass, taffeta, lustre glass, Aurora and rhodium.

The Fenton Art Glass Co, is credited with being the first producer of carnival glass. Other major United States producers were Northwood Glass Company, Imperial Glass Company and Millersburg Glass Company.

Carnival glass was also produced in England, Europe, Central and South America, India, China and Australia.

In Australia, carnival glass was manufactured by the Australian Crystal Glass Company Ltd., which also traded as Crystal Glass Ltd. This company amalgamated with Australian Glass Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (later renamed Australian Consolidated Industries Ltd. and then A.C.I International Ltd.)) which eventually had a monopoly on glass production in Australia.

As in the United States, most of the carnival glass produced by Crystal Glass Company Limited was in the mid to late 1920s.

Australian themes featured strongly in their product line, with designs including the kingfisher, kangaroo, swan, emu, kookaburra, magpie, and waratah.

The range of shapes was similar to that of other carnival glass manufacturers and included various shaped bowls, salvers, jugs and tumblers, vases, float bowls and smaller items such as sugar bowls and butter dishes.

Most items made by Crystal Glass Company were in the 'marigold' colour, which showed an orange iridescence over the clear glass. This was also the most widely produced colour in the United States, the reason given being that it would brighten the dull interiors of the time. The other colour used was 'dark' which varied from light amethyst through to black, with a silvery iridescence. In other countries there was a virtual palette of colours produced. less...

Fenton Art Glass Co. was an American glass manufacturer founded in 1905 by Frank L. Fenton and his brother John W. Fenton in Williamstown, West Virginia. The company was known for producing high-quality handcrafted glassware, including vases, bowls, lamps, and figurines.

In its early years, Fenton produced a range of glass items, including iridescent glass, carnival glass, and opalescent glass. However, the company became best known for its innovative use of color in glass, particularly its signature "milk glass" or opaque glass, which was produced in a variety of hues.

Over the years, Fenton Art Glass Co. faced challenges more... from changing consumer tastes and economic pressures. In the 1930s, the company shifted its focus to producing more affordable glassware, including depression glass, which was mass-produced and sold at a lower price point.

Despite these challenges, Fenton Art Glass Co. remained a beloved brand for collectors and glass enthusiasts. The company continued to innovate with new designs and techniques, and its pieces were highly prized for their beauty and craftsmanship.

In 2011, Fenton Art Glass Co. closed its doors due to financial difficulties, marking the end of an era in American glassmaking. However, the company's legacy lives on, and its pieces continue to be highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts around the world.

Fenton Art Glass was founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. and John W. Fenton. They began their business In Martins Ferry, Ohio, by painting decorations on glassware made by nearby manufacturers. Prompted in part by the desire to work with a broader range of colours, the brothers soon decided to produce their own glass, and opened the Fenton Art Glass factory in Williamstown, West Virginia in 1907. Fenton introduced "iridescent ware" later that same year. Now known as "Carnival" glass, it remains a popular collectible item today.

Frank L. Fenton's love of color and his admiration for glass artisans like those at Tiffany and Steuben helped keep Fenton Art Glass in the forefront of the handmade art glass industry for the next few decades, but during the Depression Era and the early years of World War II, Fenton also produced practical items such as mixing bowls and perfume bottles.

In its early years, Fenton produced a range of glass items, including iridescent glass, carnival glass, and opalescent glass. However, the company became best known for its innovative use of colour in glass, particularly its signature "milk glass" or opaque glass, which was produced in a variety of hues.

Over the years, Fenton Art Glass Co. faced challenges from changing consumer tastes and economic pressures. In the 1930s, the company shifted its focus to producing more affordable glassware, including depression glass, which was mass-produced and sold at a lower price point.

By the late 1940s, a new generation of Fentons was running the company. Brothers Frank M. and Wilmer C. (Bill) Fenton would lead the Fenton factory through significant growth for the next 30 years. In 1986, George W. Fenton, Frank's son and a third-generation family member, became president of the company.

Traditional glassmaking ceased in 2011 and the Fenton Art Glass Company property was sold in 2017. Fenton Art Glass Company was the largest manufacturer of handmade coloured glass in the United States and was among the foremost glass manufacturers in the world.

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