Carnival GlassWith the return of vintage collectibles, however, carnival glass seems to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity among the younger generation, who enjoy the fun and funky look of these brightly colored glasses. It actually originated in America, though other countries were producing similar types of glassware around the same period in time. It wasn't referred to as carnival glass in the beginning, however, this generic term for any kind of iridescent colored glass came from the fact that it was regularly given away as prizes at fairs and carnivals in later years. One of the features that draws so many people to collect this glass other than its brightly colored base is the amazing variety of colors and patterns that it comes in. Carnival glass patterns came in every possible combination imaginable, both geometric and naturalistic. It was made by forming hot glass in a mold, creating its characteristic iridescence by adding a variety of metallic oxides into the hot glass while it was being formed. Once the piece was set, it was sprayed again with the metallic salt solution while surface was hot, then placed back in the kiln so that the melting of the salts created the prized rainbow colors that were so highly sought after. Today we know that more than a thousand different carnival glass patterns were produced by American manufacturers alone, with descriptive names such as beaded cable, peacock tails, open rose, and many, many more than can be listed at one time. Carnival glass, in the form that we know it today, first began to appear on the market around the turn of the century, in an attempt to reproduce the look of expensive Tiffany glass for the less affluent market. For this reason, it is sometimes also referred to by its other nickname; the "poor man's Tiffany." Every type of glassware imaginable was created in the same style, from bowls and candy dishes to smaller vanity items such as hair accessories and hat pins. To keep the size and cost of some of their collections down, some enthusiasts will limit their collecting to one particular maker or piece of tableware, but most will buy any piece that strikes their fancy without prejudice. Some collectors also prefer to collect modern reproductions of vintage pieces, since they can combine the desired look with a reasonable price. This is mainly due to the fact that even though it was once quite prevalent, antique carnival glass can be a bit harder for the beginning collector to find unless they already know where to look. Good places to start your search are antique shops and other collectors, and there are many pieces online at auctions for excellent prices. Just be sure you know the difference between an authentic piece and a reproduction before you start to shop! Members of your family can also be a good source for authentic antique carnival glass, since they may have some pieces that were passed down from relatives and not realize their value. This is why it's so important to do your research before you jump into the market headfirst. When you're buying or examining the glass, remember that aside from condition, the color of the base glass is the most important factor in carnival glass value. It comes in three basic color groups, which are marigold or yellow, dark blue or purple, and pastel. There are also some other color variations such as green and black, but they are much more rare. Marigold glass was produced in the largest amounts, making it the least valuable of the groups while pastel colors offer the most carnival glass value. Ultimately, carnival glass fell out of fashion following the Great Depression but enjoyed a rebound in popularity in the 1950's. Today it is becoming more popular than ever before and collectors of all ages are getting into the world of collectible glass. Of course, most people get started when they find an interesting piece from the past in their attic. What kind of treasure might you find when you unpack those boxes? |