Carnival glass

Since many manufacturers produced close copies of their rivals' popular patterns, carnival glass identification can be challenging even for an expert. Many families create their own Christmas stockings with each family member's name applied to the stocking so that Santa (or the family members) aren't confused about which stocking belongs to which family member. Identifying carnival glass involves matching patterns, colors, sheen, edges, thickness, and other factors from old manufacturer's trade catalogs, other known examples, or other reference material. Today, stores carry a tremendous variety of styles and sizes of Christmas stockings, from small and conservative, to long and stretchy, to gigantic. Many manufacturers did not include a maker's mark in their product, and some did for only part of the time they produced the glass. Originally, children simply used one of their everyday socks, but eventually special Christmas stockings were created for this purpose. Identification of carnival glass is frequently difficult. One traditonal practise is to reserve the stocking for five gifts that stimulate each of the five senses, for example:.

Examples of carnival glass can be easily found in antique stores, and there is a very active market for it on eBay. By tradition, the stocking is hung on the fireplace, but, since many modern homes do not have fireplaces, stockings may be hung in almost any location, under the assumption that Santa can find them wherever they are. Prices vary widely, with some pieces worth very little, while other, rare items command thousands of dollars. Tradition in western culture dictates that a child who behaves badly during the year will receive only a piece of coal. Carnival glass is highly collectable. These small items are often referred to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers. In addition, simple pressed glass was iridized by third parties as well. A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children in the United States and some other cultures hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, or other small gifts when he arrives.

Glass, as well as smaller quantities by many smaller manufacturers. Any item with a distinctive scent such as bubble-bath, cologne, perfume etc. Carnival glass was produced in large quantity by at least Fenton, Northwood, Imperial, Millersburg, Westmoreland, Dugan/Diamond, Cambridge, and U.S. Something that has tactile appeal such as modeling clay, a soft toy, lingerie or even a pair of novelty christmas socks!. Other colors of uranium glass were produced in lesser quantities. An item that is visually pleasing in any way like jewelry, cuff-links or a coloring book. Vaseline glass and uranium glass actually contains traces of uranium salts (uranium dioxide) in the glass, causing it to glow faintly in the dark with radioactivity. A toy or other item that makes a noise (this can even include nuts to crack).

It is also made in opaque white, called milk glass, and before the hazards of radiation were well known, it was made in semi-transparent or translucent pale green, called vaseline or uranium glass. Something to eat like fruit or candy. Carnival glass is made in many translucent colors, primarily amethyst, marigold, cobalt, green, and red. The name "carnival glass" was not commonly used until collectors in the 1950s began to refer to it as such. Some significant production continuing outside the US through the depression years of the early 1930s, tapering off to very little by the 1940s.

Most US carnival glass was made between 1907 and 1925, with production tapering off by 1931. The popularity of this use made this a very profitable line for the Fenton company. Only after these markdowns was it frequently used as carnival prizes and as promotional giveaway items. However, it did not command the prices expected, and was subsequently discounted.

Decorative art glass called "Iridill" was originally produced by Fenton in 1907, inspired by Tiffany and Steuben art glass. After interest waned in the late 1920s, Fenton quit producing carnival glass for many years, but due to a resurgence in its popularity, Fenton produces carnival glass today. They were well known for quality, and were among a very few makers who made red carnival glass. The Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905, and was the first and largest producer of carnival glass, producing many different pieces in over 150 patterns.

. Glass workers sometimes refer to carnival glass as "dope glass" because the process of applying the iridescent coloring to the surface is called "doping". Carnival glass gets its iridescent sheen from the application of metallic salts while the glass is still hot from the pressing. It is produced in the US and Britain from the early 20th century until the present.

Carnival glass is an inexpensive pressed glass, made as both functional and ornamental objects, mostly iridescent and of deep amethyst colour.