Carnival glass bowls are part of a larger collection of collectable items called carnival glass. Carnival glass is an inexpensive pressed glass to which an iridescent coating has been applied, giving it an oil-like sheen. The process is sometimes known as doping, leading some glass manufacturers to call it “dope glass”. It originated in the early 1900s, and production waned in the mid to late thirties.
The Fenton company is largely recognized as the first and largest producer of carnival glass. Fenton began life as a company that decorated blank glass produced by other companies. In 1907 they began creating their own carnival glass, which was initially marketed as “Iridill,” or, more simply, iridescent ware when Feton glassware began production. It was an overnight hit and many other companies began turning out and marketing their own carnival glass bowls.
In the late twenties, demand for their products began to wane. This was due to the decrease in sales during the Depression, and also in part to the saturation of the market by glass companies. To get rid of stock, companies began selling their wares at deeply discounted prices to carnivals, which the carnivals then used as prizes for their games. Several companies went out of business during this period.
In the fifties, carnival glass bowls experienced a resurgence in popularity. Glass collectors coined the term “carnival glass” for these creations after learning of their term as carnival prizes. Several companies began making reproductions, and to this day carnival glass, especially antique Fenton glass, is a prized collectable.
Presently, carnival glass can be found in auctions, antique shops, and online for various prices. Fenton antique glass fetches high prices, as well as other well-known carnival glass. Some of the more common colors are marigold, as well as dark hues like blue and green. The most prized and pricey kinds of carnival glass bowls are red or pastel colored. One rare ice-blue plate even sold for $16,327.55 on a popular auction website!
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 a highly collectible type of glass. They were produced by covering glass with an iridescent, shiny coating. The largest producer of carnival glass was Fenton. Fenton glassware quickly became popular, and other companies started producing carnival glass as well. Due to market saturation and the Great Depression, demand for carnival glass declined sharply in the late 1920s. Today, antique Fenton glass in particular is sought after by collectors, with red and pastel colored pieces considered the most valuable. Many resources are available for those new to collecting, such as websites and books with information on the various types of carnival glass.