Antique Fenton Glass

Antique fenton glass came from possibly the most influential and significant maker of molded glassware during the first half of the twentieth century, the Fenton Glass Company. Of the multitude manufacturers of the carnival glass, it was the most famous which fundamentally created the type in 1907 when the company founder Frank Fenton and factory manager Jacob Rosenthal produced the iridescent known as Iridill. The line became an instant trend thanks to the attention-grabbing surface treatments and the designs and patterns which jumped from the pieces to make rich reliefs. A lot of early Fenton patterns include Butterfly and Berries, Thistle, Peacock Tail, Waterlily and Cattails and Wreath of Roses. 

When looking at antique fenton glass, it helps when you are able to spot the various traits and characteristics. Say for instance, patterns may be stamped to the front, back or both. The bottom of the pieces was also diverse – a few had flat collars while other sported spatula feet or ball. The borders of fenton glass are another differentiator. While some are smooth with gentle undulations, other are divided into alternating segments of unbroken curves and sharp points to generate bracket edge. Other pieces feature edges which appear pulled, ruffled, crimped or resemble the teeth of a saw.

While the antique fenton glass was made for daily use, a lot of the pieces seemed suitable to special occasions and for serving treats. This made fenton produce a large number of ruffled candy dishes, low nappies as well as high-sided nut bowls. In the 1920s, fenton launched a carnival color which will prove to be a hit with customers of the day and modern fenton collectors alike – red. But when the 1930s set in and the Depression deepened, fenton dropped the carnival lines in favour of the household items like the mixing bowls and plates. It was tough going and the company almost did not make it. It was the Victorian style of glass called Hobnail which rescued fenton and continued legacy.

Antique fenton glass today is considered vintage glassware which is quite popular with collectors and the company has even found modern-day audience for the 1970 Iridill reissues and its first lines of 1970 Burmese glassware with hand-painted creamy pink opaque surfaces.