Pressed glass

Pressed glass

Pressed glass

The cheap and cheerful range of iridescent pressed moulded glass launched by Fenton in 1907 is now known as carnival glass and has become one of the most popular collecting areas, with prices to match.

Fenton’s original relief moulded iridescent range was inspired by Tiffany class and sometimes known as the poor mans Tiffany, pieces were produced in a range of press moulded relief designs based on animals, plants, fruit, Fenton’s staple patterns included Peacock and grape, Dragon and Lotus, rarer patterns include red panther

Pressed glass

the wide range of iridescent colours, included Royal blue, purple, and green and readily found Marigold, various shades of orange was one of the most popular.

In the 1920s Fenton introduced red, a technically demanding colour, red pieces of now rare and very much sought after.

Pressed glass

Fenton experimented with short runs, unusual colours, and shapes, all of which have added to the appeal of its glass, as does the crisp quality of the early moulds.

Such was the demand for Carnival glass in the late 1960s and 1970 Fenton began to issue reproductions from its original moulds sold as a new range of Carnival glass.

All new Carnival glass was marked with a script Fenton , in an Oval  cartouche, unlike the earlier Carnival glass pieces from Fenton which are often unmarked.

Pressed glass

Secondary Carnival glass.

As the fashion for and production of Carnival glass waned in the United States in the  1920s, manufacturers in Europe, Scandinavia and even Argentina began to produce their own Carnival glass to supply their home markets.

This so called secondary Carnival glass was still hand pressed but with less hand finishing and was made until the late 1930s.

Pressed glass

In Britain, Sowerbys glassworks and George Davison  glass, used pressed glass moulds to produce smaller ranges, mainly in Marigold, blue, and amethyst.

The Australian Crystal Glass Ltd in Sydney made most of its Carnival glass in the 1920s to compete with American imports.

Pressed glass

This Australian  Carnival glass,was made mostly in purple and orange, and had a very Australian identity with its own patterns, Australian sawn, Kangaroo, kiwi, Emu, and kookaburra, that celebrated the indigenous wildlife.

I hope you have found this page on Pressed glass  to be both informative and helpful.


you may like to see my pages on Northwood glass & carnival glass

Happy hunting from the collectibles coach.