NetworK ezine Issue 58. March 2020
Totally Devoted to Carnival Glass
Magnificent Millersburg
Millersburg Zig Zag tri-corner bowl
in amethyst with radium iridescence. We came across the ad shown on the right in the February 1910 edition of the “Pottery, Glass & Brass Salesman”. We’ve seen similar ads before (and you can see them on our website, link below), but this one was different in its wording, and we show it here in full. The reference, in the ad, to the “specimens of medieval glass under lock and key” was intriguing. And notice that nowhere is the word “iridescent” mentioned … it was described as “radium” instead. It wasn’t just the “Pottery, Glass & Brass Salesman” extolling the virtues of Millersburg’s output; the trade press was full of reports of the Radium effects of Millersburg’s new glass, and the exceptionally mirror-shiny iridescent effect characterising some of their Carnival. |
The “Crockery & Glass Journal” reported: “The new ‘Radium’ glass of the Millersburg Glass Co. has made a decided ‘hit’ with the trade, and is being ordered even more liberally than the company anticipated—much to the gratification of its creator, J. Fenton.” [J. Fenton, the founder of Millersburg Glass, was John W. Fenton. John had previously worked with his brother, Frank L. Fenton, at Fenton Art Glass Company].
The words of 1910 bring a vividness in a way that today’s words never could hope to. It was described in the January 1910 issue of “China, Glass and Lamps” thus: “the glass glowed and sparkled with a thousand varying tints and shades, glistening like beaten silver or flashing like sodden gold”. The promotional use of “Radium” was everywhere! Its use in the early 1900s played on a popular fascination with the scientific discovery of radium and radioactivity and the Nobel Prize in Physics that had been awarded to Marie and Pierre Curie in 1903. It was possible to find all sorts of items called Radium or similar, being presented as beneficial - from boot polish to beauty products! Clearly describing the glass as "Radium" was Millersburg’s marketing hype, intended to make their glass sound different than the other makers’ iridescent ware. Of course, Millersburg intended to use this popularity to sell glass – hidden in the text of the Radium ad was their hope that “millions” would “possess RADIUM” that retailed “at from ten cents up”. Radium was not used in the glass batch: the term "radium" referred to the brilliance of the shiny, multi-coloured and mirror-like iridescence. As Harry Northwood explained: "Spray on glass very hot for Matt Iridescent and not so hot for Bright Iridescent" which is how satin (matt) and radium (bright) effects were achieved. Read more about Millersburg and also the phenomenon of Radium, in our feature articles: Magnificent Millersburg and don't miss this one - Radium! |
A marigold Holly Whirl bowl with radium iridescence.
|
Impressive Epergnes
Now to another popular phenomenon .... all the rage, on trend and totally chic! An epergne in the centre of the table was the epitome of good taste, and the essential, interior design item of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Epergnes were made in all shapes and sizes, with some showy examples soaring to several feet in height, while others were more diminutive and modest. Some comprised a bowl and attached “lilies” (or “trumpets” or "horns") while other versions used various styles of metalwork - such as EPNS* or gilded - as stands to hold the “lilies”. (* Electro Plated Nickel Silver)
Now to another popular phenomenon .... all the rage, on trend and totally chic! An epergne in the centre of the table was the epitome of good taste, and the essential, interior design item of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Epergnes were made in all shapes and sizes, with some showy examples soaring to several feet in height, while others were more diminutive and modest. Some comprised a bowl and attached “lilies” (or “trumpets” or "horns") while other versions used various styles of metalwork - such as EPNS* or gilded - as stands to hold the “lilies”. (* Electro Plated Nickel Silver)
And of course, epergnes were made in Carnival Glass too. Some of the early, blown glass epergnes were iridescent, glowing with marigold – then along came the pressed glass versions in a rainbow of shimmering colours.
Northwood’s Wide Panel epergne is probably the most well-known of the Carnival Glass epergnes. Made in pressed glass, they were described in promotional ads of the era (1909) as having “the exclusive principles of the expensive imported ware maintained throughout – they differ only in price”. Northwood was producing a cheaper version of the epergne, aimed at bringing style and chic to a wide section of the populace.
Dugan made a less expensive, but also impressive, Fishnet epergne (left) with just a single, central “lily”, which was described as an “exclusive art design”.
Fenton made the more modest single-lily Vintage epergne (in two sizes), that would fit even the smallest table.
In Europe, several glass makers produced Carnival Glass epergnes, most notable being Brockwitz, who made the statuesque Curved Star (OMN Zurich) epergne, shown here in the 1915 Brockwitz catalogue. It was called a "Tafelaufsatz", meaning centrepiece. The dimension, 31½cm (approx 12 inches), refers to the diameter of the central bowl. This majestic beauty is only reported in marigold: it stands around 46cm (18 inches) high.
In more recent times, Contemporary Carnival epergnes made by Fenton, have also been very popular, suggesting that large showy items will always find a place in the hearts of collectors.
Read the full story of epergnes in our latest feature article – from their early origins to the most recent Contemporary beauties: Epergnes.
As far as Claudio knows, this is the first Carnival piece in this shape, reported. It is believed that a covered compote (stemmed item, cover and under-plate) was also made in marigold Carnival, but as yet only the stemmed part is known. Other shapes, including butters, bowls and plates are known, but not yet reported in Carnival Glass. Sincere thanks to Claudio for showing us this beautiful item.
Pretty in Pink!
Imperial commenced the production of Contemporary Carnival Glass in the early 1960s to take advantage of the developing market for new, collectable Carnival Glass. Over time, they experienced several changes of ownership (before finally closing in 1984). A new Contemporary colour, Pink Carnival was made from 1978 to 1982 under the ownership of Lennox (marked LIG) and then Arthur Lorch (marked ALIG). It was described as a "striking line of pastel carnival glass". Shown on theright is a Contemporary Pink Loganberry vase (*) which was marked "LIG" (courtesy of Seeck Auctions). On its right is an extract from the latest of our additions to the ever-expanding range of Contemporary Carnival catalogues on our website. There are four pages of Imperial's Pink (colour code PK), illustrating some forty plus pieces, and the page also has links to several other Contemporary Imperial catalogues. Here is the link: Imperial Contemporary Pink * Loganberry was originally made by Imperial in Classic (old) Carnival. It was one of many moulds that Imperial reintroduced into production when they started making Contemporary Carnival Glass. |
Privacy and the use of your information: we only use your name and email address to send you your FREE Carnival Glass NetworK ezine. We will not share your name or email address with anyone else, or use it for any other purpose. You can change your mind about receiving your NetworK ezine at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the foot of every issue, or by emailing us at [email protected]
Join us on Facebook
We invite you and your friends to join us all on NetworK's fast growing and very active Facebook Group (link is below), and if you have missed any of the previous issues of NetworK and NetworK Specials, they are all here: Back Issues.
We invite you and your friends to join us all on NetworK's fast growing and very active Facebook Group (link is below), and if you have missed any of the previous issues of NetworK and NetworK Specials, they are all here: Back Issues.