Dating carnival glass

How can you tell how old a carnival glass is?

Some carnival glass pieces, though relatively few, have a mark that reveals the manufacturer. If you see one of these, look up pieces made by the manufacturer with the same color, shape, and pattern, and you will likely narrow down the date to a small range, or even a particular year.

What is the value of carnival glass?

Carnival glass made by this company includes not only table or dinnerware sets, but berry sets, and other useful items imitating cut glass patterns. Marks vary on Imperial carnival glass pieces, but to identify it, look for the familiar iron cross mark. This piece was selling for $35 to $50 in 2006. In 2018, this piece sold between $20 to $90.

Why is it called Carnival glass?

Carnival glass has been known by many other names in the past: aurora glass, dope glass, rainbow glass, taffeta glass, and disparagingly as poor mans Tiffany. Its current name was adopted by collectors in the 1950s from the fact that it was sometimes given as prizes at carnivals, fetes, and fairgrounds.

When did carnival glass go out of fashion?

With the stock market crash and rising prominence of the Art Deco movement, carnival glass dramatically fell out of fashion. But the tale doesn’t end there – it enjoyed a brief revival in the 1960s and is still being produced to this day!

How can you tell if carnival glass is valuable?

Older pieces are more likely to have a “rusty” appearance from the aging metal oxide, as well as to show certain tool marks that indicate the early years of carnival glass. Tool marks which won’t affect the value, often appear as deep scratches and grooves that don’t seem intentional.

What is the history of carnival glass?

Carnival glass was first made in the early 1900s by the Fenton Art Glass Company. John W. Fenton was inspired to make these pieces after seeing the pieces made by glass blowers. Carnival glass is named after the location where it was given out most often: at carnivals.

How much is an imperial carnival glass piece worth?

Marks vary on Imperial carnival glass pieces, but to identify it, look for the familiar iron cross mark. This piece was selling for $35 to $50 in 2006. In 2018, this piece sold between $20 to $90.

How many colors of carnival glass are there?

Some colors are simple to distinguish and identify, like the common, yellowish marigold or a simple red. However, experts on carnival glass have categorized almost 50 different colors that the vintage pieces can have. For an initial look at a piece, you only need to describe the basic color.

Most real carnival glass lacks a maker’s mark, meaning that to determine its origin, collectors need to consult an expert on carnival glass. Carnival glass is found in a variety of colors and patterns. So, how can people new to collecting carnival glass learn to identify interesting or valuable pieces?

Why is it called a carnival ticket?

When did they stop making carnival glass?

Most U.S. carnival glass was made before 1925, with production in clear decline after 1931. Some important production continued outside the US through the depression years of the early 1930s, tapering off to very little by the 1940s.

What is carnival glass and who made it?

Collecting Carnival Glass and a short history of the companies that produced it, such as Fenton and Northwood. Carnival glass was first produced in the early nineteen hundreds and is a range of patterned, pressed glass suffused with an iridescent lustre, which reflects the light and makes the glass surface gleam with metallic highlights.

Does Fenton still make carnival glass?

After interest waned in the late 1920s, Fenton stopped producing carnival glass for many years. In more recent years, due to a resurgence in interest, Fenton restarted production of carnival glass until its closure in 2007. Most U.S. carnival glass was made before 1925, with production in clear decline after 1931.

How to tell if carnival glass is real?

Because of this, the bottom of the glass is the best place to check the glass’ original color before treatment. While checking the base visually, you can also check for hay marks, which are commonly found on glasswork from the period in which carnival glass was made.