Fenton Art Glass Review
The Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905 by Frank L. Fenton and his brother John W. Fenton in an old glass factory building in Martins Ferry, Ohio. After two years of painting decorations on glass blanks made by other glass manufacturers, they decided to produce their own glass. The first glass from the new Fenton factory in Williamstown, West Virginia, was made on January 2, 1907. From 1905 to the 1920’s, Fenton design was heavily influenced by the artists at Tiffany and Steuben. In late 1907, Fenton pioneered "Iridescent" glass. This glass, now known as "Carnival" glass, is a popular collectible today. Other famous Fenton innovations include Hobnail, Crests, Opalescent, Cranberry, Burmese and an incredible array of fantastic colors, including Lemon and Lime Sherbet custard glass.
"We make glass the old-fashioned way, using many techniques and tools that are essentially unchanged from those of a century ago." George W. Fenton, President and CEO, Fenton Art Glass Company.
Fenton’s old-fashioned techniques and values are more than just another advertising gimmick. In 2005, the Fenton Art Glass Company celebrates its 100th anniversary. Among the 400-plus employees in Williamstown, West Virginia commemorating the event are 10 Fenton family members, a third and fourth generation actively involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.
Company co-founder Frank L. Fenton (1880-1948) started his career at age 17, when he was employed by the Northwood Glass Co. as a glass decorator. In 1905, he started a glass decorating firm in Martins Ferry, Ohio with his brother, John W. (1869-1934).
Frank was responsible for the design of most of Fenton’s products. His desire to develop new and unusual colours and patterns allowed the company to remain in the forefront of the handmade art glass industry. Among the first of Frank L.’s innovations was Chocolate glass, which was made from mid-1907 to about 1910. Today, prices for vintage pieces range from $60 for a small bowl, to about $700 for a six-inch vase.
Frank L.’s early days were also heavily influenced by Tiffany and Steuben, a fascination which remained until the 1920s. The earliest result was Carnival glass, an iridized pressed pattern glass first produced in late 1907 at a price point aimed at the average American.
Not all of Fenton’s experiments met with iridescent glassware. In 1925, Fenton introduced a Tiffany style art glass, hiring a group of highly skilled European glassblowers to produce off hand art glass, which were blown to a general shape without the use of molds. Although vases were the prevalent form, candlesticks, candy dishes, bowls and tobacco jars were also produced. Patterns included Hanging Hearts, Hanging Vine, Mosaic Inlaid, and Pulled Feather. Unfortunately, the increased cost of production translated to higher retail prices which were too expensive for the times. At the end of a one-year contract with the glassblowers the contract was discontinued. Offering unsold pieces to employees for 50 cents an item.
Extremely rare, and very attractive, today Fenton’s off hand art glass is much in demand. At a recent Skinner auction, an 8-1/2 inch Mosaic Inlaid Egyptian style vase sold for more than $1,998; a smaller, five-inch Mosaic Inlaid vase realized $1,093.
Fenton also began making non-iridescent glassware from about 1921. To get through shortages caused by the Depression and the Second World War, during the 1930s and 1940s, Fenton focused their production on a number of practical items, such as mixing bowls and everyday tableware.
Fenton continued to develop a wide array of new colours and patterns, and it was likely this dedication that allowed them to continue when others failed. Baskets, Cranberry glass and
Crested ware (glassware with an applied coloured or crystal rim), and the signature Hobnail pattern all made their debut in the mid to late 1930s.
The first Crest ware pattern was Blue Ridge. Although this particular pattern was only made for one year, with very few exceptions, Crest ware has been part of the Fenton line since its inception. Besides a variety of colour choices, several Crest ware patterns are enhanced with hand-painted floral decorations. The first of these, Violets in the Snow, was introduced in 1967.
Perhaps the most recognizable Fenton glassware is their Hobnail pattern. What started in 1935 as a lamp front soon escalated to making barber bottles for L. G. Wright (1936-1938) and perfume bottles for the Wrisley Company of Chicago (1938-1941).
In 1940, Fenton began producing Hobnail pieces for inclusion in their own annual catalogue. Among the first colours were Cranberry, crystal, French Opalescent and green. Goblets, tumblers, a sherbet dish and an eight-inch plate of Fenton’s signature white milk glass were also introduced in 1940, although all of these products were pulled from their 1941 catalogue. The line was officially reintroduced in 1950, and this is generally accepted by collectors as Hobnail’s formal launch date.
In 1948, Frank M. Fenton took over as President, and his influence was evident in the 1980s and his influence can be seen in a number of pieces, Connoisseur Collection, Platinum Collection, and the Generations Collection.
As Fenton heads into the future, they can look back upon their history with pride. In a century where many other glassmakers failed, Fenton has continued to experience significant growth, becoming America’s largest manufacturer of handmade coloured glass. In today’s hi-tech society, it appears that old-fashioned techniques and family values are still a winning combination.
Heart of Glass: Fenton Glass
A skilled glassworker, Dave Fetty retired in 1999 after more than 40 years in the glass industry.
Fentons Burmese Glass
The Fenton Glass Company is the largest maker of hand made colored Glass that currently exists in the United States.
Fenton Glass Bowl
The treasure for this week was a small Fenton glass bowl, it stills has the Fenton sticker.
The Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905
Hopefully this will prove to be another difficult time that the Fenton Glass company survives.
Fenton Glass Chickens
The very first, and to date the largest producer of carnival glass was the Fenton company, who made myriad pieces, in more than 100 different patterns.
Mail this post