Carnival glass originated in the early 1900s, and production waned in the mid to late thirties. The bowls of carnival glass are part of a larger collection of collectable items known as carnival glass. Carnival glass is coated with iridescent, giving it an oil-like sheen and this glass is inexpensive. This process is known as doping and hence many leading glass manufacturers call it "dope glass".

The Fenton company is largely recognized as the first and largest producer of carnival glass. Fenton began life as a company that decorated blank glass produced by other companies. In 1907 they began creating their own carnival glass, which was initially marketed as "Iridill," or, more simply, iridescent ware when Feton glassware began production. It was an overnight hit and many other companies began turning out and marketing their own carnival glass bowls.

In the late 20es, request for their products started to fade. This was caused by the decrease in sales during Depression time, and partly to the saturation of the market by glass companies too. To eliminate stock, companies started selling their wares at strongly discounted prices to carnivals, that then is used as prizes for their games. Many companies got out of business during that period.

Carnival glass bowls experienced resurgence in popularity during the fifties. The term "carnival glass" was given to these items by the collectors after learning of their term as carnival prizes. Reproduction of carnival glass bowls were started by many companies. To this day carnival glass, particularly antique Fenton glass, is a prized collectable

You can find carnival glass for sale at auctions, antique shops and online. Prices vary, with the Fenton antique glass and other well-known producers demanding the higher prices. The more common colors are marigold and dark hues like blue and green. Red or pastel colored carnival glass bowls are the most prized and, therefore, the higer priced pieces. A rare ice-blue plate sold on a popular auction website for $16,327.55!

These are many ways to collect more information about antique collectibles- books, websites, newsletters, and other documents will help any interested person find out about the designs, shapes, and sizes of antiques available. Many organizations are devoted to bringing collectors together to help them learn more about collecting.

Beautiful carnival glass bowls, made by pressing glass and covering it with an iridescent coating, are no longer made but still widely collected. Fenton glassware started making these bowls, marketed as iridescent ware, in 1907. Sales dropped during the depression. Carnivals bought up much of the stock for prizes, hence their name. Today antique Fenton glass demands high prices- up to $16,000 for a single bowl. Reproductions and other manufacturers are also bought and sold. There are many resources, including many books and internet sites, to help you get started collecting carnival glass.