Carnival Glass

Carnival glass is produced by a process known as doping, hence this glass is also sometimes referred to as "dope glass". This process was first adopted in the early 20th century, lasted until the late 1930s and is no longer used.

The Fenton Glass Company of Williamstown, West Virginia was the first and most widely recognized carnival glass producer. Fenton initially began life as a company which decorated blank glass produced by other companies. In 1907 it started creating carnival glass. When production started, Fenton glassware was marketed as "Iridill" or "iridescent ware". This was an instant hit and several other companies began producing 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.

Known as "carnival glass" by glass collectors, the popularity of carnival glass bowls surged in the 1950s. Originally used as carnival prizes, today reproductions are made by several companies. Fenton glass in particular is a prized collectible and the most frequently manufactured.

At present, online auctions and antique shops are the best places to get carnival glass Fenton antique glass as well as other well-known carnival glass fetches high prices. Popular colors of these glasses are marigold, as well as dark hues like blue and green.Carnival glass bowls in red or pastel color are the most expensive. One rare ice-blue plate recently sold for $16,327.55!