Imperial By Name!
Most Carnival Glass patterns – and certainly most of the Classic USA ones – were named by early collectors/researchers, such as Marion Hartung and Rose Presznick. It’s rare to come across a pattern name that was given by the maker at the time of production – but what a delight to know that we do indeed have knowledge of several actual pattern names that were originally given by Imperial.
The source for this precious information is Imperial’s Catalog 101B, issued in 1915, featuring “Iridescent Glass Novelties”.
Many of the familiar designs shown were named and described by Imperial. Sadly, of course, these original names were not known back in the 1950s and 1960s, when the early collectors began to assign their own names to patterns. But it’s important that we acknowledge and know them now, and learn as much from them as we can.
The PERSIAN DESIGN – SCROLL EMBOSSED Imperial called this their “Persian Design” or “Persian Pattern”. It’s most interesting to note that Imperial called the 9” flat plate a “bread plate” and indicated that it was being made in three iridescent colours at that time: Rubigold (Imperial's colour code M), Azur (code L) and Helios (code K). Rubigold was Imperial's name for marigold, Azur was their purple, and Helios is the same term we use today. The plate shown here (below, right) is “Azur” – a rich and vibrant purple. In their 1911 ads, Imperial described Azur thus: “Amethyst glass with green, blue, red and yellow iridescent colours. This is the darkest one of four colours – of very striking appearance.” |
The image above has been re-created faithfully from the 101B Catalog
(the original catalogue image was very indistinct). |
In using the names “Persian Design” and “Persian Pattern”, Imperial was indicating that the inspiration came from Persian arts and crafts. Could it have been intended to represent a peacock feather (eye) design? Or perhaps it was inspired by something like the Persian silk textiles and rug designs shown on the right. We will never really know! |
Above left: detail from Persian silk brocade by Mu’izz-ud-Din, 16th or 17th century*;
centre: another silk brocade from 17th century* and right: the central detail from a Persian Qum rug. *both of these were shown at International exhibitions in the early 1900s. |
COLONIAL AND GRAPES – HEAVY GRAPE
Known to us by the familiar name Heavy Grape today, this strikingly lovely design was originally called Colonial and Grapes by Imperial. It was also marketed under the name "Niagara" (after the well-known grape variety) for crystal and satin glass from the 1930s into the 60s/70s. In NetworK #76 we show an ad for "The Niagara". The simple, early, panelled pattern was often known as Colonial style by many of the USA glass makers, and indeed Imperial made a range of bowls and other items that they referred to as “colonial ware” or “colonial style”. On the exterior of the Heavy Grape pieces is that exact pattern – the colonial panels. Carnival collectors call this panel pattern Flute. Four colours were offered: Rubigold (colour code M), Azur (code L), Helios (code K) and Old Gold (code R). Old Gold was Imperial's name for amber base glass.
Right: Heavy Grape master berry and individual berry in smoke. Courtesy Alan Henderson. |
The Colonial pattern is seen clearly on the exterior of this helios punch set, below left (courtesy Seeck Auctions). This exterior pattern is known as Flute by today’s Carnival collectors. The Heavy Grape pattern is on the interior of the items.
The Heavy Grape pattern is on the interior of the items and is referred to as such in the Imperial ad which calls the piece "Colonial and Grapes", saying that "the inside of this bowl shows a gorgeous grape design".
AMERICAN BEAUTIES – OPEN ROSE / LUSTRE ROSE
American Beauties was Imperial’s name for the pattern we know as Imperial Rose, or more specifically as Open Rose (for the footed shapes) and Lustre Rose (for the collar-based shapes). Imperial intended them all as the same pattern range, all featuring the American Beauty Rose. Four colours were offered: Rubigold (colour code M), Azur (code L),
Helios (code K) and Old Gold (code R). The exterior design on the Open Rose bowl shown here is as exquisite as the interior pattern. Imperial were very proud of the fact that they invested much effort in producing pleasing exteriors too. Here’s how they used it as a promotional selling point in their catalogue, alongside their American Beauties. |
Above and below: a purple centrepiece, footed bowl, a shape that Imperial called a low footed salad in their Catalog 101B.
Shown courtesy of Alan Henderson. |
Roses have always been a favourite flower, as seen in the USA fashion journals of the time (see the 1912 extract on the right). You can read much more about the American Beauties (Open Rose and Lustre Rose) in the major feature on our website that also includes Contemporary and Finnish production of the pattern. Prepare to be amazed! Read it all here: A Rose By Any Other Name. |