One of the most complex antique collectibles is carnival glass.Even experts can't say for certain who manufactured a piece or how to categorize it under the iridescent sheen of carnival glass.There are a number of things to look for in carnival glass.You will be able to keep records and sell the glass at auctions if you have a handle on these aspects.
Step 1: To check for a shimmer, hold up the glass in a well-lit space.
Every piece of carnival glass has a shimmery veneer.The multi-color, rainbow shimmer of oil on water can be seen in the sheen of carnival glass.Dark rooms can make a piece look like ordinary glass, so make it in a light area.If the piece you are inspecting does not appear iridescent in light, then it is not a piece of carnival glass.
Step 2: The base is often an area without metal oxide.
You have to find a section that doesn't have the oxide spray that creates the iridescent quality in order to determine the carnival glass's color.If you want to find a place like this, you need to flip the piece over and check the raised base.The base of a genuine antique carnival glass is often missing the oily reflection because it was sprayed by hand.
Step 3: To find out if the piece has a traditional carnival glass color, identify the color.
There are some colors that are easy to distinguish and identify.The experts on carnival glass have categorized almost 50 different colors for the vintage pieces.You only need to describe the basic color for an initial look at a piece.To get a more nuanced sense of the color, you may want to compare pieces.One of the carnival glass guidebooks can be consulted for a list of colors.
Step 4: Determine if the piece is a bowl, plate, cup, vase or another shape.
Think about the piece's depth, width, and possible purpose when you look at it.Some cups have obscure purposes or are difficult to identify, but you will have no problem identifying them.As a beginner, you may find the difference between a deep dish and a bowl confusing.There are many kinds of glassware that were used in the early 20th century and you can find examples in a guidebook.
Step 5: There are ridges and glass patterns on the edges.
Many pieces of carnival glass, bowls and plates are rimmed with an even pattern of glass.There are a few different types of edges, with the most common being ruffled, or gently rounded protrusions, and pie crust, an unevenly crimped edge with 2 crimps of different sizes next to one another.Other edges include the "3 and 1," which has three large crimps and one small one all around, "ribbon," with small, tightly packed ruffles, and "ice cream" edges, which have smooth, flat ruffles.
Step 6: The piece has a pattern.
There is a decorative pattern on most carnival glass.Think of a few words to describe what is depicted on your own.If you want to identify the exact pattern, you need to consult a book or the internet.You don't feel like you have to learn all of the patterns.Bowls are more likely to have one on the inner bottom than cups and vases.
Step 7: For an easy estimate of the value, establish the sheen's quality.
The amount of shimmer varies from piece to piece.More reflective and colorful pieces are more likely to sell for more at auction.If you have more than one piece, compare it to the others to see if you can find similarities.There is no way to measure sheen.Pieces that sell higher at an auction are considered beautiful, but they can't be described in terms other than "dull" or "weak" glass.Electric carnival glass is the most reflective piece.
Step 8: There is a maker's mark on the bottom.
Some carnival glass pieces have a manufacturer's mark on them.You can narrow down the date to a small range, or even a particular year, if you look up pieces made by the same manufacturer.If you can determine the age, you may be able to figure out who the manufacturer is, based on the manufacturers working in the decade you have narrowed the piece down to.A list of maker's marks can be found at www.carnivalheaven.com.
Step 9: There are scratches, wear, and tool marks on the piece.
Older pieces are more likely to have arusty appearance from the aging metal oxide, as well as to show certain tool marks that indicate the early years of carnival glass.Many tool marks look like deep scratches and grooves that don't seem to be intentional.The piece is more likely to be valuable because of the grooves on the bottom.Hold the piece up to the light and you will be able to see if the mark goes all the way through or not.There will be more jagged cracks.
Step 10: The piece should be compared to a list of fakes.
If the piece appears old and valuable, you should consult a list of fakes to make sure it's not one of the mass-produced ones.There is a widely-consulted list of fakes at http://www.ddoty.com/fakes.html.These lists won't tell you if a piece is real or not, but they will help.