Carnival Glass
didn't really interest collectors until the late 1950s, and
the history of many early companies still isn't fully-researched.
A
trawl through various books on glass produces a variety of dates
and it seems that no-one is absolutely certain when the various
manufacturers first developed their carnival glass products, although
it is known that by 1905 the first cheap, carnival glass, that rivalled
the expensive Tiffany glass, was in production. 
During
the 1880s, hand-operated press moulds were developed
by the American glasshouses, which enabled them to produce domestic
glassware in large quantities much more cheaply than the traditional
methods allowed. Unlike hand-blown glass which was time-consuming
to produce, pressed glass was produced using moulds.
Two
moulds were used with the molten glass being poured into the outer
mould and then the inner mould or plunger forced inside, under great
pressure.
Sometimes
moulds were in two or more parts, and a trickle of the molten glass
would seep through the gaps. Later, these seam lines would be polished
out unless they were hidden in the intricate design. Initial products
were made from clear glass, but gradually colours were introduced.
The
carnival glass manufacturers wanted to create a unique feel and
an air of individuality and the glass needed a lot of hand-finishing
. So, the glassmakers completed their creations in a variety of
ways. Sometimes they would very gently draw up the edges of a plate
into a fluted shape, creating a bowl. They might add some rounded
feet or using special tools would pinch or crimp edges, or make
ruffles, pleats, frills or scallops.
Gorgeous
rose bowls and posy bowls could be formed by carefully pinching
in the top edges of small basins, while tall vases were elongated
by using centrifugal force which had the effect of stretching the
malleable glass. Then the top edges where decorated by crimping.
The most common shade
of carnival glass is marigold, then amethyst, blue, green and red,
which is probably the rarest of all.
Other
shades do exist, including black, pastel shades, and many varieties
of the main colours such as amber, electric blue or sapphire. In
addition, some of the colours were coated with white, altering the
hues - ie; marigold and white is called peach opalescent. The colour
referring to the base colour of the glass, not to the iridescence,
and the best way to discover it is to hold the piece to the light
and the base colour will show through.
An
amazing variety of items were created from carnival glass and many
were intended for everyday use, rather than for decoration, and
it is surprising how many items have survived.
Rose
bowls, plates, ashtrays, hatpins, salad bowls, cream jugs, punch
bowls, plates, stemmed dishes, vases and hair tidies were just a
few of the items that poured from the factories during the relatively
short period that the glass was in production.
America
was the first country to produce carnival glass in commercial quantities
and the five biggest companies were Northwood, Fenton,
Imperial, Dugan and Millersburg, and each had their own specialities.
In addition there were a few smaller countries which produced the
glass including England, Australia, Czechoslovakia, Argentina, Estonia,
Finland and Sweden.
The
glass was originally made to bridge a gap in the market by providing
ornamental glass for those who couldn't afford to buy the fashionable,
expensive, iridised handmade glassware. However, by the 1930s, fashions
changed as people began to follow Art Deco
trends and carnival glass became less popular.
It
wasn't until much later that it acquired the name, carnival glass.
It is believed to have become so unpopular that it was sold off
cheaply to fairgrounds and offered as prizes. Whether or not this
is true is irrelevant.
Other
names for the glass were poor mans Tiffany, rainbow glass, aurora
glass and taffeta glass. The enormous range of patterns means that
collectors will always be searching for more pieces. It's calculated
that well over a thousand different patterns were produced by the
American companies, and each pattern in a range of different colours,
shapes and sizes. It's not hard to see why a serious carnival glass
collection would be hard to complete.
Most
Patterns
were given names that echoed the design, such as leaf and beads,
starfish, pineapple and bow, beaded cable, peacock tails, persian
medallion, open rose and fluffy peacock. Flowers, fruits and leaves
were very popular designs and included pansies, roses, water-lilies,
blackberries, grapes, cherries, oak and vine leaves.
Sometimes
horse heads, dragons, birds, or kittens were featured. Geometric
shapes or abstract patterns are also found, and are shown to perfection
by the iridescence which catches the light as the piece is turned,
emphasising the facets.
Because
of the way that the glass is manufactured, no two items are quite
the same - if you place two dishes or vases of the same pattern,
shape, colour and size from the same manufacturer, side by side,
you will notice subtle differences.
One
may seem more blue than purple, or have a section which gleams gold,
or maybe have a pink or green tinge. A single item of carnival glass
on display is beautiful; a collection, especially if illuminated
by spotlights, or perhaps placed in a north-facing window makes
a stunning display.
Prices of carnival
glass vary considerably and depend on the manufacturer, the colour,
the design and from where you buy. Even though it is very popular
and sought after by collectors, it is still possible to pick up
bargains.
Normally
you can expect to pay anything from £20 upwards. For rare
pieces upwards could well mean hundreds, or even thousands of pounds.
If
you're looking to add to your carnival glass collection, why not
have a flick through our Carnival
Glass for sale section.
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| Peacock at the Fountain aqua opalescent
punch bowl. |
Carnival glass comport by Northwood
Glass. c1920's. Three Fruits pattern with
basket weaved back. Marked "N".
Measures 3" high. Color amethyst. |
Carnival glass bowl in the Acorns
pattern by Millersberg, USA. Blue c1920's. |
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