Glen & Stephen Thistlewood
Carnival Glass Worldwide
  • Home
  • Patterns, Colours, Shapes
  • Carnival Gallery
  • Books, e-books

What shapes was it made in?

Lots! 

As well as being decorative, Carnival Glass was practical and functional - was meant to be used. A big selling point was its versatility. Bowls of every size, for fruit, salad, bonbons and more. Plates, jardinières, jelly comports, custard cups, cake stands, epergnes and even massive table centrepieces. There were punch sets, vases in every shape and size you can possibly imagine, lamps, ashtrays, candlesticks and more …

These two adverts from Butler Brothers wholesale mail order catalogues from Spring 1912 provide an indication of just how the versatility Carnival Glass was presented to the buying public. A crucial piece of information from these catalogue assortments is that Butler Brothers (as wholesalers) put them together as single maker selections. Thus the "Variety" Glassware Assortment is all Northwood, and the "Golden" and Silver Beauty" Glassware Asst. is all by Imperial. These single maker selections helped the early Carnival Glass "pioneers" make the attribution of pieces to a specific factory.

Picture
Picture
The range of shapes is evident even in these two small catalogue adverts. What is also clear, from the descriptions of the items, are the practical uses being suggested - nut bowl, salad, rose bowl, olive, celery, cake or bread plate and do on. It is also very clear from studying many of these catalogue assortments is that the same item may appear in different assortments and be given an entirely different description, all in an effort to increase sales.

Vases were popular and long-standing favourites for the Carnival Glass buying public. They were one of the earliest shapes to be made in Carnival Glass, and they also feature among the final shapes to appear. Swung, un-swung, "as moulded" - every Carnival Glass maker of significance around the world made vases! Read all about vases here.

Water sets also feature heavily, usually comprising a pitcher and six tumblers to make a set. Today, for reasons of limited space, collectors often collect a pitcher plus one tumbler as a water set, individual pitchers, or individual tumblers. In 2003, a "once in a lifetime" event took place in St Louis - it is unlikely ever to be repeated! The "One Thousand Pitcher Show". Read all about it here.

Read more about Carnival Glass shapes - click on the image links below. 
Lettered Pieces
Advertising, Lettered and Souvenir pieces
Plates
Am I a Plate?
Butters
Butters around the world
Butters from Brazil
Butters from Brazil
Card Trays
Card Trays
Comport
Comport or Compote - that is the question
Comports
Comports!
Bulbous Vases
Czech Bulbous Vases
Renaissance
Egg or Bonbonniere?
Epergnes
Epergnes Worldwide!
Pressed Glass
Features of handmade pressed Carnival Glass
Fenton Crimp
The Fenton Crimp
NetworK 83
Fenton Crimp (2)
Hair receivers
Hair Receivers
Hatpin Holders
Hatpin Holders
May Baskets
May Baskets
Nappy
What is a Nappy?
Pickle
Pickle, celery, or what is it?
Rocky Road Vases
Rocky Road - vases with Bumps and Swirls
NetworK #54
Ruffles and Crimps
Samovars
Samovars
Imperial Lighting
Imperial Carnival Glass Shades
Square vases
Square Vases!
Swans
A Flock of Swans!
Swung Vases
Swung Vases by Joan Doty
Swung Vases
Swung Vases - categorised by size
Tea Warmer
Tea Warmer
Pitchers
Thousand Pitcher Show
Star motif
Stars in Your Eyes
Vases
All about Vases
Imperial Vases
Imperial Carnival Vases "Catalog 100B"
Bob Smith
Bob Smith's Online Tumbler Museum
Tumbler Gallery
Carnival Tumbler Gallery
Copyright © 2023 by G&S Thistlewood and the individual authors and contributors where named. Protected under all applicable international laws and all rights are reserved. No image, text, or any part thereof may be copied, shared or transmitted to others without permission from the Copyright holders. Information herein may not be posted or made available, in whole or in part, on any website, social media site, FTP site, electronic bulletin board, newsgroup, or their equivalent.