Carnival Glass originally called Iridescent Ware first came out
Carnival Glass, originally called Iridescent Ware, first came out in late 1907. It was not commonly referred to as Carnival Glass until the 1950s, though, when collectors started calling it that. These pieces were typically made from extremely ornate glass pieces, characterized by the myriad hues of their sheens. Their luster was achieved by applying metallic salt sprays to the glass before it had completely cooled down.
Carnival glass is made as both functional and ornamental objects. This is an inexpensive pressed glass and found in a wide spectrum of colors. Sometimes glass workers refer this as dope glass because the process of applying the iridescent coloring to the surface is called doping. This was made in over 150 patterns and many different pieces from the year 1907 but since it did not command the prices expected it was subsequently discounted.
The glass is produced in various translucent colors. Primarily amongst these are amethyst, marigold, cobalt, green, and red. Sometimes it is also made in opaque white which is called milk glass. A semi-transparent or translucent pale-green hue was also available before the widespread knowledge of radiation hazards. this glass was called Vaseline or uranium glass. Both of these contain traces of uranium salts which gives the glass a faint green glow when exposed to UV light.
Millersburg glass Company, Ohio was one of the largest producers of this kind of glass. Though the first glass product of the company were crystal, the Millersburg plant decided to produce iridescent glassware looking to the popularity of it. In this way the Millersburg Company brought out its line of Radium glassware.
Carnival glass is highly collectible item. Prices vary widely, with some of the pieces worth very little, while other, rarer items command thousands of dollars. It has become an antique glass collectible and there is a very active market for it.
Identification of carnival glass is very difficult task. Most of the manufacturers did not include a maker’s mark in their product, while the others did so only for part of the time they produced the glass. To identify this glass, one has to match patterns, colors, sheen, edges, thickness, and other factors from old manufacturer’s trade catalogs, other known examples, or other reference material. Since many manufacturers produced close copies of their rivals’ popular patterns, identifying it is a challenge even for an expert.
This decorative glass or Iridescent Ware was introduced in 1907 and had a metallic sheen from a spray of salts when hot. This inexpensive pressed glass, also known as dope glass is made for functional/ornamental objects. Due to lack of demand price was discounted. Available colors are primarily amethyst/marigold/cobalt/green/red. Vaseline or uranium glass had uranium salts and hence was discontinued. Millersburg glass Company was the greatest producer of this type of glass. Initially this was made as crystal and later on as iridescent glassware. The prices vary depending on their quality/availability. This is antique glass collectible and has market. Identification of this glass is based on patterns/colors/sheen/edges/thickness etc.