Fenton Art Glass

About Fenton Art Glass

Fenton Art Glass Company started out slowly in 1905, when brothers Frank and John Fenton set up shop in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Their initial business model was to paint glass blanks supplied by other manufacturers, but when the brothers ran into supply snags, they decided to make their own, setting up a glassblowing facility in Williamstown, West Virginia.

In 1907, Frank Fenton and his factory manager, Jacob Rosenthal, experimented with different color combinations to create Iridill, an iridescent, "poor-man’s Tiffany" that gave the young company the distinctive product it needed. To make the Iridill vases and bowls—some footed, some flat-bottomed—molten glass was pressed into a mold. In some cases the resulting relief sits on the exterior of the vessel, but there are many more examples in which the relief projects from within the object...

Within a year, John had left the company to establish his own firm, Millersburg Glass Company in Ohio. Simultaneously, Fenton went into full production on a variety of Iridill styles. As with the designs of Steuben and Tiffany that Fenton emulated, most of Fenton’s patterns drew from nature. There are bowls lined with acorns amid oak or grape leaves—pitchers are often adorned with blueberry vines or the fruit-laden branches of apple trees.

Animals made their appearances on Fenton pieces, too. Dragons paired with flowering lotus blossoms were common to Fenton bowls, though the plates bearing these patterns are rare. Butterflies on vases and beakers were also a favorite motif. And then there are the pair of panthers that stalked the insides of footed Fenton bowls in a variety of colors—today these pieces, especially the red ones, are among the most collectible antique Fentons available.

Into the 1920s, the market for Fenton glass was strong, with new designs such as Coin Dot, a precursor to some of the work that would follow in the 1940s and 1950s. But by the Depression, there were so many imitators of Iridill and competitors of Fenton that eventually this type of glass became cheap enough to be given away as prizes at carnivals, which is how it came to be known as carnival glass in the 1950s.

To diversify its product line and cope with the dire economic times, Fenton made household items such as plates and mixing bowls and took commissions from lighting manufacturers such as Lightolier. Like Lalique, the company also contracted to make perfume bottles, in Fenton’s case for a company called Wrisley.

Fenton’s work for both Lightolier and Wrisley used a style of glass called Hobnail that had been out of fashion since the Victorian era. The technique was to blow or press glass into a mold to create a grid of knobs, resembling the hobnails on the bottom of a boot, on the glass’s surface. By the end of the 1930s, Fenton would begin producing its own Hobnail pieces, which by the 1950s were produced in a milk glass version that proved more popular than even Iridill.

Other designs produced during the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s include the ruffled-edge Crest pieces, the twisting Spiral Optics, and Diamond Lace, which combined the bumpy of surface of the Hobnails with the optical qualities of the Spiral Optics.

By the 1950s, many Fenton bowls were adorned with handles to turn them into baskets. Up until that decade, no Fenton piece had carried its maker’s mark, but now Fenton decided that the work of the handler (the gaffer who takes a band of molten glass and with a few deft moves fashions it into a handle) should be recognized. This helps collectors of vintage Fenton to identify the date and pedigree of pieces from 1953 to the present.

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2 - Fenton Blue Satin Poppy Pattern Hurricane Lamps$300.00 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 14 watchers
Fenton Fetty/rossi Ooak 17" Green/blue Free-form Vase!!$299.99 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 3 watchers
Fenton Art Glass Dusty Rose Overlay Poppy Gwtw Lamp$299.00 Ends Monday 1 bid 8 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Rose Glass Lamp 30" Tall Magnificent $249.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 1 watcher
Very Rare Cobalt Blue 9/11 Fenton Vase!!!$227.50 Ends Monday 5 bids 7 watchers
Gorgeous Fenton Ruby Red Gone With The Wind Lamp$217.76 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 15 watchers
Fenton Chicken Egg Server Amethyst Head 1950s #5188-ym$202.59 Ends Monday 16 bids 20 watchers
Vaseline Epergne 12 1/2 Inches, By Fenton$195.00 Ends Thursday 1 bid 11 watchers
Vtg Fenton Cranberry Opalescent Coin Dot Pitcher 91/2"$195.00 Ends Thursday 1 bid 5 watchers
Fenton 1991 Roses On Burmese Paisley Lamp Le #433/500$193.51 Ends Monday 14 bids 41 watchers
Fenton Extra Large Diamond Optic Purple/mulberry Vase$169.16 Ends Sunday 10 bids 8 watchers
Vintage Fenton Cranberry Opalescent Hobnail Water Set$165.83 Ends Saturday 19 bids 42 watchers
Fenton 1980 Hammered Brass Lamp, Plate & Bell$157.50 Ends in 19 hours 2 bids 8 watchers
Fenton Pink Satin Poppies Gone With The Wind Lamp$152.50 Ends Tuesday 10 bids 24 watchers
Vr Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail #3986 11 Inch Covered Urn!$145.01 Ends in 22 hours 10 bids 15 watchers
Fenton #7204 Christmas Morn L.e. Hammered Colonial Lamp$129.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 3 watchers
Fenton "holmes County" Lim. Ed.hammered Colonial Lamp$129.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 5 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Coin Dot 9" Bowl/ Bride's Basket$127.50 Ends in 20 hours 10 bids 28 watchers
Fenton Experimental Moonstone Oriental Scene Vase Rare$116.50 Ends Monday 13 bids 18 watchers
*vintage Fenton Plum Opalescent Hobnail 9-1/2" Bowl*ex.$106.49 Ends Monday 3 bids 11 watchers
Fenton Plum Opalescent Hobnail$105.50 Ends Wednesday 9 bids 13 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Opal Coin Dot Pitcher & 4 Tumblers!!$105.00 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 8 watchers
Fenton Rose Purple Orchid Opalescent Hobnail Epergne $103.05 Ends Tuesday 19 bids 18 watchers
Fenton Plum Pitcher$102.50 Ends Wednesday 4 bids 8 watchers
Fenton Stag And Holly Carnival Bowl$102.50 Ends in 14 hours 2 bids 10 watchers
30's Fenton Blue Ridge Spiral Opalescent Basket Mint$99.98 Ends in 32 mins 4 bids 7 watchers
Rare Fenton Blue Slag Almost Haven Limited Edition $95.55 Ends Sunday 8 bids 13 watchers
Fenton "the Angelo Rossi Years" Original 12" Vase 2003$95.00 Ends in 23 hours 2 bids 2 watchers
Antique Fenton Turquoise Silver Crest Cake Stand Plate$91.00 Ends Tuesday 14 bids 23 watchers
Fenton Aqua Persian Blue Opalescent Hobnail Pitcher Set$91.00 Ends Tuesday 8 bids 19 watchers
Fenton Presznick's Carnival Humidor Tobacco Jar$80.95 Ends in 21 hours 2 bids 6 watchers
Fenton Blue Ridge Opalescent Hobnail 10" Basket 1985 Nr$79.99 Ends in 19 hours 1 bid 4 watchers
Fenton Pink Chiffon Poppy Show Student Table Lamp Mint$79.99 Ends Saturday 1 bid 4 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Coin Dot Ruffled 10" Vase - Signed!!!$79.99 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 10 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Opalescent Hobnail 10.5" Glass Vase$79.00 Ends Monday 11 bids 14 watchers
Fenton Dave Fetty Blue White Pinched Crimped Vase$77.00 Ends in 21 hours 5 bids 22 watchers
Fenton '05 Gift Shop Exclusive Mary Gregory Plum Basket$76.10 Ends in 12 hours 19 bids 8 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Glass Pitcher #2 Of Four- Coin Dot $76.00 Ends Sunday 5 bids 22 watchers
Fenton***plum Opalescent***hobnail**pair. Candle Holder$76.00 Ends Sunday 5 bids 10 watchers
Lovely Fenton Art Glass Cranberry Swirl Vase - Tall$75.00 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 6 watchers
Fenton Art Glass Cranberry Opalescent Bowl Vase $75.00 Ends Monday 1 bid 4 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Opalescent Heart Spot Perfume Bottle$74.95 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 5 watchers
Fenton Elephant - Vasa Marina$73.00 Ends Monday 5 bids 8 watchers
Fenton Louise Piper Hp Mountain Church Scene Bell/rare$69.99 Ends in 12 hours 1 bid 5 watchers
Fenton Hen Egg Plate Plate #5188-tj Of 950$69.95 Ends Friday 1 bid 9 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Opalescent Swirl Large Top Hat Vase$69.00 Ends Monday 1 bid 4 watchers
Fenton '03 Hydrangeas On Rosemilk Basket For Easter!$68.99 Ends in 1 min 9 bids 12 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Opal Fern Optic Cruet W/crown Stopper$67.00 Ends Sunday 11 bids 5 watchers
Vintage Fenton Cranberry Oil Lamp Shade$67.00 Ends Tuesday 9 bids 22 watchers
Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail 12 Flat Juice Tumblers 5 Oz $64.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 2 watchers
Fenton Cranberry Glass Pitcher #4 - Spiral Opalescent$61.69 Ends Sunday 6 bids 16 watchers
Fenton Lot!! Ornaments, Bell, Kitten!!!$61.00 Ends Tuesday 6 bids 3 watchers
Fenton Art Cranberry Glass Vase Mary Gregory$61.00 Ends Tuesday 14 bids 6 watchers
Sample Fenton Alley Cat Hand Painted Mouse W/ Cheese N9$60.99 Ends in 20 hours 8 bids 8 watchers
Fenton Rare Vaseline Glass Tumble-up Guest Set$60.77 Ends in 15 hours 3 bids 9 watchers
Fenton Amber Hobnail Electric Table Lamp$60.38 Ends in 20 hours 18 bids 14 watchers
Fenton Lamp Custard Matte Floral 1972 Piece Signed Nice$60.00 Ends Tuesday 8 bids 31 watchers
Fenton Burmese Candy Ribbon Rose Bowl - Great Blush $59.99 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 2 watchers

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Recent News: Fenton Art Glass

Source: Google News

David Fish
Marietta Times, March 20th

David retired from Fenton Art Glass in 2000 after 34 years of service. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving from 1954 to 1957. On June 31, 1958,...Read more

Visitors bureaus launch new marketing push
Parkersburg News, March 13th

The busiest tourist months in Parkersburg are June through October, and the major attractions are Blennerhassett Island, Fenton Art Glass, The Oil and Gas...Read more

Member Login: Email: Password:
Marietta Times, March 2nd

secretary; Andy Benson (Holiday Inn), past president; David Fitzgerald (Best Western); Kerri Griffith (Fenton Art Glass); Marianne Monaghan (Barking Dog...Read more

Economic Turnaround?
WTAP-TV, March 1st

Fenton Art Glass nearly closed two years ago...but its union ratified a new contract over the weekend...as did Eramet, which had major layoffs just a little...Read more

Fenton union approves multi-year contract
Marietta Times, March 1st

WILLIAMSTOWN - Union workers at Fenton Art Glass Co. approved a three-year labor contract Saturday that will go into effect today...Read more

AUCTIONEER: MIKE CLUM INC., PO BOX 2, RUSHVILLE, OH FEBRUARY 23, 24, 25, 2010 ...
Antiques and the Arts Online, February 22nd

The Fenton Glass collection & Epergne collection are the finest we have sold. FOR INFO ON ITEMS, phone Gallery (740.536.9220) on Friday, Feb...Read more

At Bill Spicer, WASHINGTON LODGE MASONIC TEMPLE 1515 TEN ROD RD, , NORTH ...
Antiques and the Arts Online, February 22nd

28 pc Waterford set of glasses; Waterford vase; Fenton glass; Czec glass; toothpick holders; Baccarat vase; Export china lot; Minolta & Agfa cameras;...Read more

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