How to Collect Carnival Glass
Learn how to check the colour., Decide what sorts of shapes you'll collect., Choose the patterns you'd like to collect., Consider whether you'll add modern carnival glass to your collection., Look for your carnival glass pieces., Decide where to...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn how to check the colour.
The colour is an important part of carnival glass and affects the appearance of your collection as a whole.
Start by looking through the base of the glass to identify the colour accurately.
Ensure that the lighting is strong so that you get a real view of the colour.
Common colours are marigold, amethyst, green, and blue.
Less common colours include peach opalescent and aqua opalescent.
There are also many other possible colours including lavender, smoke, ice blue, ice green, lime, black amethyst, amber, moonstone, green and yellow (Vaseline), and many variations on shades and colours.
Do you want to collect any colour or would you rather concentrate on a few colour types? Perhaps rare colours are your preference, or a colour that fits in with your home décor theme. -
Step 2: Decide what sorts of shapes you'll collect.
There is a huge variety of shapes to choose from.
When collecting, you might like to confine your collection to certain styles, or to figurines, crockery, etc.
Here are some of the possible shapes:
Bowls, plates, tumblers, pitchers, and vases Beads, hat pins, brooches, buttons, purses, jewelry, and beaded dresses Lamps Swan salts, money boxes, powder bowls, soda or whisky bottles, toothpick holders, cuspidors (spittoon, snuff, tobacco), perfume atomizers, etc.
Special event/commemorative items , Patterns can form an important part of your collection too.
With over 500 distinct patterns on carnival glass, there is a lot to choose from.
Patterns include geometric shapes, flora, and fauna.
Flower patterns often focused on pansies, roses, iris, tulips, thistles, waratahs, and poppies Fruit shapes included apples, pears, peaches, berries, cherries, and strawberries Animal shapes included lions, horses, fish, bears, kangaroos and other Australian native animals. , Modern glass cannot replicate the iridescence of the old carnival glass.
This is due to the reality that the chemicals used are now considered health dangers.
Modern day carnival glass can be discerned from the older glass by an experienced collector and still has its place in a collection if wished.
The only downside to this is that there isn't very much of modern carnival glass to collect., There is a range of places where you can shop for antique carnival glass:
Look at online auction sites.
They will have many choices available.
Be sure to check shipping costs and liability for breakage in transit.
Visit antique stores.
Find out which ones specialise in carnival glass by looking online, phoning, or asking when you visit antique stores.
Attend live auctions where quality vintage goods are sold.
There will often be carnival glass pieces; call the auction house ahead to find out what it has on offer, or to find out when they think they'll have carnival glass to auction.
Ask around family and friends.
You never know what they've got stored in their attics.
And once they start seeing your collection, undoubtedly they'll remember whether they have a piece or two to spare you. , Obviously glass is fragile, so you'll need to set aside a suitable place to display it that is safe and unlikely to be in the way.
A cabinet with glass doors is an ideal display piece, or perhaps along shelving of a bookcase or attached to a wall.
If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, attach the pieces to the shelving using art or poster tack., Meet other collectors and share stories, tips, and ideas with one another.
You will also have the opportunity to make trades and to learn a lot about your collection.
Find out whether there are ways to display some of your favourite pieces from your collection so that you can share the joy of collecting with others. -
Step 3: Choose the patterns you'd like to collect.
-
Step 4: Consider whether you'll add modern carnival glass to your collection.
-
Step 5: Look for your carnival glass pieces.
-
Step 6: Decide where to display your carnival glass collection.
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Step 7: Join carnival glass clubs.
Detailed Guide
The colour is an important part of carnival glass and affects the appearance of your collection as a whole.
Start by looking through the base of the glass to identify the colour accurately.
Ensure that the lighting is strong so that you get a real view of the colour.
Common colours are marigold, amethyst, green, and blue.
Less common colours include peach opalescent and aqua opalescent.
There are also many other possible colours including lavender, smoke, ice blue, ice green, lime, black amethyst, amber, moonstone, green and yellow (Vaseline), and many variations on shades and colours.
Do you want to collect any colour or would you rather concentrate on a few colour types? Perhaps rare colours are your preference, or a colour that fits in with your home décor theme.
There is a huge variety of shapes to choose from.
When collecting, you might like to confine your collection to certain styles, or to figurines, crockery, etc.
Here are some of the possible shapes:
Bowls, plates, tumblers, pitchers, and vases Beads, hat pins, brooches, buttons, purses, jewelry, and beaded dresses Lamps Swan salts, money boxes, powder bowls, soda or whisky bottles, toothpick holders, cuspidors (spittoon, snuff, tobacco), perfume atomizers, etc.
Special event/commemorative items , Patterns can form an important part of your collection too.
With over 500 distinct patterns on carnival glass, there is a lot to choose from.
Patterns include geometric shapes, flora, and fauna.
Flower patterns often focused on pansies, roses, iris, tulips, thistles, waratahs, and poppies Fruit shapes included apples, pears, peaches, berries, cherries, and strawberries Animal shapes included lions, horses, fish, bears, kangaroos and other Australian native animals. , Modern glass cannot replicate the iridescence of the old carnival glass.
This is due to the reality that the chemicals used are now considered health dangers.
Modern day carnival glass can be discerned from the older glass by an experienced collector and still has its place in a collection if wished.
The only downside to this is that there isn't very much of modern carnival glass to collect., There is a range of places where you can shop for antique carnival glass:
Look at online auction sites.
They will have many choices available.
Be sure to check shipping costs and liability for breakage in transit.
Visit antique stores.
Find out which ones specialise in carnival glass by looking online, phoning, or asking when you visit antique stores.
Attend live auctions where quality vintage goods are sold.
There will often be carnival glass pieces; call the auction house ahead to find out what it has on offer, or to find out when they think they'll have carnival glass to auction.
Ask around family and friends.
You never know what they've got stored in their attics.
And once they start seeing your collection, undoubtedly they'll remember whether they have a piece or two to spare you. , Obviously glass is fragile, so you'll need to set aside a suitable place to display it that is safe and unlikely to be in the way.
A cabinet with glass doors is an ideal display piece, or perhaps along shelving of a bookcase or attached to a wall.
If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, attach the pieces to the shelving using art or poster tack., Meet other collectors and share stories, tips, and ideas with one another.
You will also have the opportunity to make trades and to learn a lot about your collection.
Find out whether there are ways to display some of your favourite pieces from your collection so that you can share the joy of collecting with others.
About the Author
Martha Ward
A passionate writer with expertise in pet care topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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