Carnival Glass

About Antique Carnival Glass

Carnival glass was a cheap, iridescent glass often given away as promotions at carnivals, movies, and grocery stores in the early 20th Century (its heyday being roughly 1907-1925). It was produced in over 60 colors (including the best known, an orange-ish marigold), by well-known manufacturers such as Northwood, Fenton, Imperial, Millersburg, Dugan-Diamond, and others.

Carnival glass is essentially patterned glass that has been press-molded and sprayed with metallic solutions to produce an iridescent effect. The glass was pressed with a mechanical process, but then subsequently hand-fashioned into final shapes by craftsmen. Consequently, most pieces have their own unique characteristics...

Carnival Glass was originally sold for a few cents per piece (or given away), and advertised with names like "Pompeiian Iridescent," "Venetian Art," and "Mexican Aurora." It later spread around the world and has been called names ranging from "Nancy glass" to "Baking Powder glass" to "Poor Man's Tiffany."

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Continue reading

Post an Event

Upcoming Events

See all 24 Glassware events


Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Carnival Glass Collectors Glen and Stephen Thistlewood

Our newest book is actually the fully revised and expanded second edition of our first book. It came out originally… [more]

An Interview With Early American Pattern Glass Collector Elaine Henderson

My mother was our inspiration for collecting pattern glass. She collected it, and she died at a very young age. My … [more]

An Interview With American Cut Glass Collector Barbara Meek

I started collecting cut glass when I was about 18. My sisters were married, and during the summer, I would go out … [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

David Doty's Carnival Glass Website

David Doty's Carnival Glass Website

David Doty's incredible, comprehensive and colorful Carnival Glass reference site, with over 1,600 pages and 4,000 … [read review or visit site]

Carnival-glass.net

Carnival-glass.net

This extensive reference on 'carnival glass,' which became popular in the early 1900s, is divided into three sectio… [read review or visit site]

National Depression Glass Association

National Depression Glass Association

A great starting point for collectors interested in Depression glass. Features in-depth reference articles on topic… [read review or visit site]

Milk Glass Collectors Society

Milk Glass Collectors Society

This excellent milk glass reference site is definitely not for the lactose intolerant. Includes seven high resoluti… [read review or visit site]

American Cut Glass Association

American Cut Glass Association

A great reference on ‘American Brilliant Cut Glass’ (produced between 1876 and 1914), this site features a stri… [read review or visit site]

Pattern Glass School

Pattern Glass School

If you need schooling on Victorian-era pressed glass tableware aka EAPG (Early American Pattern Glass) aka Pattern … [read review or visit site]

The Charleton Line

The Charleton Line

Michael and Lori Palmer's site dedicated to the hand painted decorations of Abels, Wasserberg and Company, known as… [read review or visit site]


Got a site to suggest? Let us know.




Clubs & Associations: Glassware


Discussion Forums: Glassware


Other Great Reference Sites: Glassware

Are we missing one? Tell us.

Top eBay Auctions  Help | Get weekly Carnival Glass email

Sorted by        
Northwood Marigold Town Pump Carnival Glass$1,375 Ends in 2 hours 12 bids 57 watchers
Vrare-carnival-little Daisies-blue-9 1/2" Bowl-fenton$499.99 Ends in 3 hours 1 bid 28 watchers
Aqua Opal Peacocks On The Fence Bowl$490.00 Ends in 1 hour 7 bids 39 watchers
Vintage Carnival Rare Northwood Grape & Cable Decanter$426.00 Ends in 39 mins 17 bids 38 watchers
Millersburg Amethyst Carnival Glass Bowl Grape Leaves!$400.00 Ends in 2 hours 4 bids 17 watchers
Aqua Opal Northwood's Carnival Glass Peacocks Bowl$355.00 Ends in 2 hours 3 bids 46 watchers
Imperial Purple Tiger Lily Pitcher$340.21 Ends in 1 hour 6 bids 17 watchers
Northwood Sunflower Bowl$320.99 Ends in 3 hours 29 bids 25 watchers
Northwood Singing Birds Mug~aqua Opalescent! Stunning!$320.55 Ends Thursday 4 bids 35 watchers
Renninger Blue Hearts & Flowers Carnival Glass Compote$304.90 Ends in 2 hours 5 bids 26 watchers
Northwood Peacocks On The Fence Carnival Glass Plate$299.99 Ends Thursday 1 bid 18 watchers
Northwood Ice Blue 8 Side Carnival Glass Bushel Basket$294.00 Ends in 1 hour 10 bids 31 watchers
Eda Carnival Glass Bonboniere - Lagerkrans -$290.03 Ends in 14 hours 12 bids 8 watchers
Carnival-orange Tree-8" Flat Bowl-iridized Moonstone$251.00 Ends in 3 hours 2 bids 35 watchers
Northwood Carnival Grape & Gothic Arches Water Set$249.00 Ends Wednesday 7 bids 24 watchers
Scarce Blackberry Block 7 Piece Water Set Beautiful!!$229.50 Ends Thursday 7 bids 15 watchers
Northwood Amethyst Grape & Cable Punch Bowl And Base$222.50 Ends Thursday 6 bids 27 watchers
Northwood Grape And Cable 7 Piece Water Set, Amethyst$209.50 Ends Tuesday 17 bids 36 watchers
Northwood Singing Birds Carnival Glass Water Pitcher $191.50 Ends Wednesday 4 bids 19 watchers
Northwood Green Tree Trunk Vase $182.50 Ends in 4 hours 7 bids 36 watchers
Fenton Autumn Acorn Plate~green~very Scarce~very Sharp!$179.50 Ends Thursday 5 bids 14 watchers
Northwood Marigold Peacocks Pce Carnival Bowl $177.00 Ends Monday 7 bids 34 watchers
Northwood Carnival Water Set Peacock At The Fountain$168.50 Ends Saturday 4 bids 13 watchers
Northwood Grape & Cable Cologne Bottle~electric Purple!$165.00 Ends Wednesday 13 bids 29 watchers
Northwood Grape And Cable 7 Piece Water Set, Marigold$162.50 Ends Tuesday 9 bids 10 watchers
Imperial Pr. Morning Glory Mini Vase's. Variant? Purple$162.49 Ends Wednesday 10 bids 29 watchers
Blue Northwood Grape & Cable Carnival Glass Bowl$160.50 Ends Tuesday 6 bids 22 watchers
Northwood Carnival Glass Footed Fruit Bowl Amethyst$159.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 9 watchers
Blue Wreath Of Roses W.pers Medalion Punch Bowl, No Res$157.50 Ends in 1 hour 3 bids 29 watchers
Northwood Carnival Glass Nippon Pce Bowl Ice Green$154.03 Ends Saturday 7 bids 24 watchers
Northwood Amethyst Grape & Cable Carnival Sweetmeat$153.58 Ends in 4 hours 15 bids 16 watchers
Renninger Blue Northwood Elect. Stippled Good Luck Bowl$152.50 Ends in 3 hours 16 bids 52 watchers
Elec Blue Carnival Heavy Iris Vase$149.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid
Vintage Grape Cable Carnival Glass Hat Pin Holder$134.30 Ends in 3 hours 14 bids 11 watchers
Dark Marigold Many Fruits Punch Set L@@k$130.50 Ends Saturday 6 bids 12 watchers
Carnival-amethyst-three Fruits-9" Plate-electric-exc$129.99 Ends in 3 hours 1 bid 5 watchers
Rare Gorgeous Northwood Grape & Cable Amethyst Humidor$127.50 Ends in 4 hours 12 bids 28 watchers
Northwood Raspberry Water Pitcher~green~the Best! A-1!$127.40 Ends Thursday 11 bids 45 watchers
Northwood Carnival Glass Grape & Cable 7 Pc Water Set $123.49 Ends Thursday 7 bids 22 watchers
Imperial Field Flower Water Pitcher~dark Amber~sharp!$113.50 Ends Thursday 11 bids 15 watchers
Eapg Antique Fenton Orange Tree Pink Pressed Glass Mug$110.49 Ends in 39 mins 8 bids 8 watchers
Fenton Cobalt Carnival Horse Head Medallion Rose Bowl$106.00 Ends in 2 hours 13 bids 30 watchers
Fenton Presznick Carnival Grape & Cable Tobacco Jar$104.41 Ends in 1 hour 12 bids 31 watchers
Signed Northwood Strawberry Amethyst Carnival Bowl$102.50 Ends Thursday 5 bids 27 watchers
Northwood Marigold Carnival Grape & Cable Pitcher +$100.85 Ends in 1 hour 6 bids 18 watchers
Northwood Grape & Cable Hatpin Holder~black Amethyst!$99.98 Ends Wednesday 8 bids 18 watchers
Fenton Ribbon Tie Plate 3n1 Edge Amethyst Nice *******$99.00 Ends in 2 hours 1 bid 5 watchers
Northwood Grape & Gothic Arches Ruby/gold Water Set$99.00 Ends Wednesday 6 bids 12 watchers
One Of A Kind Find! Fenton Fernery 3-n-1 Edge Whimsey!$98.00 Ends in 2 hours 1 bid 13 watchers
Vintage Carnival Northwood Pur Grape & Cable Shot Glass$97.99 Ends in 1 hour 5 bids 19 watchers
Northwood Purple Grape& Cable Carnival Glass Powder Jar$96.99 Ends in 2 hours 1 bid 11 watchers
Northwood Green Grape & Cable Small Fruit Bowl Buy it Now$96.76 Ends in 4 hours 7 bids 10 watchers
Northwood Grape & Cable Large Fruit Bowl Carnival Glass$89.88 Ends Monday 10 bids 15 watchers
Nice 1900s Fenton Captive Rose Carnival Glass 9" Plate$88.12 Ends in 3 hours 8 bids 21 watchers
Imperial Scroll Embossed Ics Deep Bowl~green~colorful!$86.00 Ends Thursday 7 bids 15 watchers
Vintage Carnival Signed Northwood Acorn Burr Spooner$82.00 Ends in 29 mins 9 bids 17 watchers
Green Carnival Fenton Vintage Grape Small Epergne$80.99 Ends Monday 14 bids 33 watchers
Marigold 474 Punch Set L@@k$79.99 Ends Saturday 1 bid 4 watchers
Signed Fenton Lilac Purple Iridescent Handled Basket$79.00 Ends Monday 1 bid 3 watchers
Northwood, Blue Orange Tree Punchbowl, Base Only$79.00 Ends Friday 3 bids 8 watchers

»» Get our weekly Carnival Glass email
Right now on eBay



Recent News: Carnival Glass

Source: Google News

Treasure hunt: Event gives community a chance to gauge value of collectibles ...
Prescott Daily Courier, March 12th

Meanwhile, Kay Demski of Prescott Valley brought a tan-colored glass vase with painted pansies, a gold ring, a carnival glass candy dish and a gold necklace...Read more

Swinging Bridge Auction Co
Antiques and Arts Weekly, March 5th

NAVAL, ETC)PAINTINGS AND WATERCOLORS ETC PRESSED GLASS, WHITE CARNIVAL GLASS SINGING BIRDS PATTERN (8 TUMBLERS), BLUE BUTTON AND DAISEY KEROSENE LAMP...Read more

The Voice: New Store Opens Downtown
my.hsj.org, March 3rd

We've had good luck with piano sheet music, collectible diecast cars, Carnival glass, Polly Pockets, postcards and other items.” Ebay stores aren't very...Read more

Antiques collectibles show/sale
Laughlin Entertainer, March 1st

"We'll have carousel horses, military items, Native American items, armoires, curio cabinets, lamps, carnival glass, dolls, crystal, linens, Americana items...Read more

Finney's Auction Service
Antiques and Arts Weekly, February 28th

Accessories: Photo Album, Several pieces of Sterling Silver, Mah Jong Set, Set of 10 Chelsea Plates, Several Pieces of Carnival Glass, Limoges,...Read more

'First' antique show goes well for combined Chamber
Gary Post Tribune, February 28th

Forty vendors with everything from carnival glass to "petrole-ana," or old license plates and car accessories, filled the Lake County Fairgrounds Industrial...Read more

Gurley Auction Company
Antiques and the Arts Online, February 27th

Glass and Pottery: Portland glass pitcher, Carnival glass water set, vintage swanky swig lots, cookie jars, jadeite lot, cranberry glass, cut glass and...Read more

ECHOES ANTIQUES & AUCTION GALLERY
Antiques and the Arts Online, February 26th

(Pr) Moser vases & Collection of Carnival glass. Assorted Baccarat, Lalique, Waterford, Royal Crown Derby, Bohemian, silver overlay decanter set,...Read more

Glassware

See also

Tools