Fenton April Showers Iridescent Carnival Glass Vase - Cobalt Blue

One thing for sure, is that it soon becomes a mine-field when trying to establish each and every pattern-type to its factory and its country of origin or its date.

So popular was this glass, that a wide range of patterns and colour combinations were used and by so many glass companies worldwide. Italy, with exception, were the only country in Europe for example, which did not produce their own Carnival glass and in the USA alone, Northwood,Millersburg Imperial,Dugan/Diamond,Cambridge, U.S. and its prolific originator Fenton, were all market leaders of this wonderful iridescent glass.

The visual appeal and the characteristics of Carnival glass is instant. Each piece has been moulded with surface design, coupled with shimmering rainbow hues of brilliant iridescence, achieved by the application of metallic salts, and whilst the glass is still hot from its mould. A second firing of the glass brings out the iridescent properties of the chemical salts, giving carnival glass its distinctive brilliance and glossy-shine. It is also an exceptionally tactile glass of which one cannot resist to hold.

My own understanding of pattern-types versus glass factory, is very limited indeed and so I welcome with open encouragement, the collectors & connoisseurs of Carnival glass, to correct me here if I am wrong. In the best of good faiths, I consider this vase to be the April Showers pattern: Number 412 circa 1911 and by Fenton.

I have, in the past, possessed several of this same pattern: Taller, in squat form and in numerous coloured glass varieties and here is my last one, using a base batch of cobalt blue, and the condition is mint for your collection

Height: 10.5 inches Base diameter: 3.5 inches Widest top diameter: 4 inches Postage weight: 2k

Item ID: JJ474