About Carnival Glass

Carnival Glass Collecting

Carnival Glass has become such a popular collectable that since 1966, many local groups across the country have formed new local clubs, with the intent and purpose of enjoying Carnival and the friendships associated with collecting this beautiful glass.

Carnival Glass as it is now called once had the nickname "Poor Man’s Tiffany." It was originally made as an imitation of the more expensive Tiffany Glass, and was originally sold in china and glass shops, department stores and general stores across America. As the years passed, many "lesser" or left over pieces were sold by the barrel to wholesale houses for distribution as prizes to circuses, churches, lodges and carnivals, hence its present day name.

Above is a picture of Northwood’s largest Grape and Cable punch set in Purple. This is a very good example of the Carnival Glass Northwood is known for, Grape and Cable being their most popular pattern. Many pieces can be identified by an underlined N in a circle.

A Wide World of Carnival Glass

Carnival Glass is a type of colored, pressed glassware with iridescence fired on. It is now considered part of our American Heritage due to the fact that it originated here, and over 95% was produced in America. Although many types of pressed glass were made during the early 1900’s, only Carnival Glass bears the striking iridescence which is its most prominent characteristic.

In Carnival Glass, we not only have a large variety of shapes and colors: we also find hundreds and hundreds of patterns. Shown here is a variety of Carnival Glass that illustrates some of the combinations of shape, pattern, and color we find when hunting for this beautiful glass. Included are: an Inverted Strawberry tumbler in Amethyst, Singing Bird mug in Purple, a Stag & Holly bowl in Marigold, a short Tree Trunk vase in Teal, a Funeral Tree Trunk vase in Blue, a Painted tankard pitcher in Green and a Loganberry vase in Amber.

Punch sets, table sets, water sets, mugs, plates, bowls, vases, accessory and novelty items of many varieties were produced. Illustrated below is a Marigold Corn Vase, an Elks bell in Blue and a Marigold Town Pump.

The colors of Carnival Glass are numerous. Marigold is generally recognized as the most common color, because it brightened the dark Victorian homes of the early 1900’s. It is also found in green, blue, white, purple, red, pastel blue and green, and variations which include opalescent edges. The true color or "base color" of the glass is seen through the iridescence when held to the light.

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