19 Rare and Most Valuable Carnival Glass Price

Carnival glass is an antique, stunningly beautiful item with an iridescent glaze and an endless variety of colors. It is a famous collector’s item that used to be given away for free. Recently, a single piece of carnival glass was worth about #40-$50. Some are worth hundreds of dollars, while others are worth as much as thousands of dollars, especially if it costs a lot to purchase.

We’ll see a few of the most valuable carnival glasses and their worths later in this article.

Table of Contents

What is Carnival Glass?

Carnival glass is molded or pressed Glass that has an iridescent shimmer on its surface. It was usually referred to as rainbow glass, dope glass, taffeta glass, aurora glass, and disparagingly as poor man’s tiffany. Eventually, this item was given its name carnival glass by antique collectors in 1950 because it was given as prizes at carnivals, fetes, and fairgrounds.

Evidence shows that these glasses were purchased by a particular set of households, mainly to brighten their homes when the well-off could afford bright electric lighting. It was said it helps catch light in the house’s dark corners. The U.S primarily mass-produced Carnival glasses at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The carnival glass gets its iridescent sheen by applying metallic salt on its surface while the Glass is still hot pressing. Tiffany, a carnival glass maker, designed carnival glass to be much more refined and expensive. The functional and decorative part of the carnival glass is done as a finishing process to the carnival glass, and it ranges from simple to geometric to cut styles pictorial and then figurative.

These producers used a wide range of colors, color combinations, and especially scarcely used colors. Most times, the barely used colors command a high price when sold at that age.

How to Identify a Carnival Glass

There are different ways to identify an antique carnival glass. Some notable features recognize Carnival glass, and you can use these features to spot them, especially when you are about to collect or buy them. The common ways to identify a carnival glass are as follows:

Iridescent Shimmer

Wave Top Carnival Glass Vase Vtg Green Yellow Ribbed Iridescent Shimmer Aurora
Wave Top Carnival Glass Vase Vtg Green Yellow Ribbed Iridescent Shimmer Aurora

Carnival bottles are known to have an iridescent shimmer. So the first thing to do when identifying a carnival glass is to look for the iridescent rainbow effect on the body of the Glass.

The base of the Glass

The base of the Glass

Another way to identify a carnival glass is by checking the base of the Glass. The bottom of the Glass is usually not weighty or thick. It also doesn’t have an iridescent shimmer. So look at the base to see if it isn’t thick and spend a pearlescent shimmer.

Rusty Look

VTG MCM Imperial Starburst BOWL COBALT Blue Iridescent Carnival Glass 10.5” X 5”
VTG MCM Imperial Starburst BOWL COBALT Blue Iridescent Carnival Glass 10.5” X 5”

The carnival glass is made from metallic oxide. Being a metal, it is liable to get rusty the older it gets due to many reactions that may occur as the glass ages.

Colour

Another way to identify an antique carnival glass is by knowing the patterns and colors. You can do this by reviewing them in an antique carnival glass guide. You can get a few of them online, such as Warman’s carnival glass: identification and price guide by Ellen Schroy, carnival g, carnival glass website by David Doty, or collecting carnival glass by Marion Quintin-Baxendale.

Manufacturers Mark

Some carnival glasses are embossed with their manufacturer’s mark, but this is not common because some companies do not place marks on their carnival glasses.

What is the Rarest Colour of Carnival Glass?

Carnival glass was produced in different colors, some were plain, and others were combinations of colors. The standard colors were white milk glass( also called vintage milk glass), deep black and purple, blues, vivid reds, pastels, and green.

The reason for many beautiful colors is that all the manufacturers always wanted to outdo one another with new and fantastic color combinations. It turns out that there is still a class of colors that are very and, in turn, the most valuable set, and they are:

Northwood marigold- a warm-toned yellow color

VNTG Imperial Carnival Glass Grape Tumbler Marigold
VNTG Imperial Carnival Glass Grape Tumbler Marigold

Northwood ice green- a cool pastel green

Awesome Signed Ice or Lime Green Northwood Carnival Glass Tree Trunk Vase
Awesome Signed Ice or Lime Green Northwood Carnival Glass Tree Trunk Vase

Fanton cherry red- a dark. Glowing red.

Antique Fenton Cherry Red Holly Carnival Glass Bowl
Antique Fenton Cherry Red Holly Carnival Glass Bowl

Fenton ambergina- a deep orange-red tone.

Antique Fenton Reverse Amberina Opal Waterlily Carnival Glass Bowl
Antique Fenton Reverse Amberina Opal Waterlily Carnival Glass Bowl (Source: Carnivalglass)

Northwood black amethyst

Vintage Northwood Carnival Glass Bowl
Vintage Northwood Carnival Glass Bowl (Source: Etsy)

The Value of a Carnival Glass

Carnival glasses were given to people by the vendors as prizes back in the days during carnival, which is why it is called carnival glass. This isn’t the case anymore in recent times because collectors pay a lot of money to acquire or collect these glasses. Even glasses with standard color and pattern have an excellent worth. Retailers, just like carnival glass, sell some pieces in the range of $35 to $85.

The glasses in this range are usually small pieces such as small vases, serving pieces, bowls, and plates. On the other hand, a rare11 inch bowl made in Dugan’s farmyard pattern was sold on eBay for more than $3,800. It was in good shape and was very good to use. Several factors determine the value of carnival glass, such as the functionality of the item that was made with the Glass, size of the Glass, color, age, and pattern.

19 Rare and Most valuable Carnival Glass Prices

Generally, Antique carnival glasses are beautiful and great for decorative and household use, hence their high worth. Some Carnivals glasses are very rare, which automatically makes them very valuable, and a few of them are:

1. Millersburg Peoples Vase in blue – Value: $155,000

Millersburg-Peoples-Vase-in-Blue
Millersburg Peoples Vase in blue

This is the most valuable and rarest carnival glass ever produced and sold. The complexity is unrivaled. Millersburg Glass owner John Fenton created the people’s vase.

This is one of ten pieces he created for the Dutch royal family in 1910. The vases were made in tribute to Queen Wilhelmina. Fenton created this vase with people dancing to celebrate the queen’s new baby, who would later become the queen herself.

Sievers paid $155,000 for the vase in 2018.

2. Northwood Wisteria Vase in Emerald Green – Value: $140,000

Northwood Wisteria Vase in Emerald Green
Northwood Wisteria Vase in Emerald Green

This unique green vase was manufactured from a water pitcher mold but lacked handles. It was sold for $140,000 in 2018. Harry Northwood, the well-known glass specialist, created some of the most magnificent glass vases in his Indiana, Pennsylvania, plant.

3. Northwood Peacock and Unn Stippled ICS bowl – Value: $66,000

Northwood Peacock and Unn Stippled ICS bowl Price

This molded glass bowl was made between the years 1900 and 1919. It measures 101/4 inches and has a frosty appearance when placed near light. The bowl has a bright yellow base with an iridescent finish.

This bowl illuminates the entire room when darkness falls, as many did in the early days of carnival glass. This is the second of its kind, according to experts. This bowl was worth $66,000.

4. Northwood Tornado Lage Vase in Celeste – Value: $60,000

Northwood Tornado Lage Vase in Celest
Northwood Tornado Lage Vase in Celest

The Tornado carnival glass is scarce. It has a tricorn top that is flared and iridescent. It sold for $60,000 at the Karen Engel auction in 2017. Since it was produced, only a few people have owned it: George Loescher, George Thomas, Dale Matheny, and Karen Engel.

5. Cleveland Memorial Souvenir Ashtray Marigold – Value: $55,000

Cleveland Memorial Souvenir Ashtray
Cleveland Memorial Souvenir Ashtray

This carnival glass was made to commemorate the centennial of Cleveland, Ohio, which was established in 1776. It honors five of Cleveland’s architectural marvels from the time.

They have depicted in the ashtray’s center and its four corners. This is a scarce find, and any collector who knows his trade and comes across it knows he’s struck gold.

6. Fenton Goddess of Harvest CRE Bowl in Blue – Value: $52,500

Fenton Goddess of Harvest CRE Bowl in Blue

This bowl, another rare find, exhibits intricate artistry. The details are so smooth and proportionate that you can’t resist but appreciate the maker’s creative abilities.

It represents the head of a goddess in the center of the bowl, with what appears to be a flower wreath ring around the head. The goddess herself is crowned with flowers on her head. It was listed for $52,500.

7. Millersburg Flowering Vine Ruffled Compote in Amethyst – Value: $50,000

Millersburg Flowering Vine Ruffled Compote in Amethyst

This rare carnival glass, like many others, is one of only a few of its kind. When it went up for auction at $50,000, it was an auctioneer’s dream.

8. Millersburg Hobstar and feather vase in green – Value: $50,000

Millersburg Hobster and feather vase in green

Consider a beautiful green seaweed frozen in the sea’s waves. But it’s made of Glass. That’s how this carnival glass appears to me. Any collector would give anything to have this on their shelf. And now that you have it, you’d never want to sell it. This is where antiques derive their value.

According to a few sources, this is the only known green Millersburge vase in this design. It was auctioned off for $50,000.

9. Northwood Poppy Show Plate in Aqua Opal – Value: $45,000

Northwood Poppy Show Plate in Aqua Opal

This carnival glass has an almost ethereal appearance. It is a rare glass with a design in the middle that resembles bursting lava mixed with various flowers and colors. The plate was auctioned off for $45,000.

10. Millersburg Morning Glory Pitcher in Amethyst – Value: $42,000

Millersburg Morning Glory Pitcher in Amethyst

With all of the intricate design, it couldn’t be a regular pitcher. No one wanted to serve tea from this carnival glass pitcher at breakfast. They are so rare and beautiful that some collectors have them on display in their homes.

This one is completed in amethyst with floral embroidery on the midsection. It has a wide handle in deep blue. This extremely rare Millersburge pitcher will brighten any home or museum. It went for $42,000.

11. Dugan Farmyard Carnival Glass – Value: $2100

Dugan Farmyard Carnival Glass
Dugan Farmyard Carnival Glass (Source: Invaluable)

This carnival glass is one of the most sought-after glasses. It has six ruffles and beaded steel wheels and is made of amethyst. The outside features a jeweled heart design. It went for $2,100.

12. Northwood Tree Trunk Funeral Vase – Value: $1750

Northwood Tree Trunk Funeral Vase
Northwood Tree Trunk Funeral Vase (Source: Invaluable)

These are early twentieth-century vases. The vases stand 18.5 inches tall and are amethyst in color. They are molded like elephant feet, with a thick bottom and a tapered middle to a flared top. Both of these stunning pieces were sold for $1,750.

13. Gerurtz Brother’s Furniture – Value: $1700

Gerurtz Brother's Furniture
Gerurtz Brother’s Furniture (Source: Liveauctioneers)

This is a piece of ephemera to be collected. “Gerurtz Brothers Furniture & Clothing. Union Ave & East Burnside.” read the carnival glass plate.

The piece is a prized collectible for anyone who enjoys carnival glass and advertising.

14. Dugan carnival glass Christmas compote – Value: $1700

Dugan carnival glass Christmas compote
Dugan carnival glass Christmas compote (Source: Liveauctioneers)

This unusual pattern of amethyst glass is incredibly ornate and deeply colored. The chalice, which stands about 10 inches tall, is strewn with berries, leaves, and stems.

15. Imperial Electric Purple Carnival Glass Plate – Value:$1500

Imperial Electric Purple Carnival Glass Plate
Imperial Electric Purple Carnival Glass Plate (Source: Liveauctioneers)

Millersburg, Northwood, and Fenton did not produce all carnival glass. Imperial created this electric purple plate.

It has an unusual design: a priestly setting with an exquisitely influenced border.

16. Northwood electric blue carnival bowl – Value: $1400

Northwood electric blue carnival bowl
Northwood electric blue carnival bowl (Source: Liveauctioneers)

This bowl looks like a wicker basket filled with flowers, with a serrated edge and matte glaze. It is an excellent example of Northwood’s aesthetic and the “electric blue” color, which is just a tad brighter than dark cobalt.

17. Northwood Embroidered Mums carnival glass – Value: $45,000

Northwood Embroidered Mums carnival glass
Northwood Embroidered Mums carnival glass 

It’s green, iridescent, and has pie crust edges, and it’s signed with the title character N-in-circle signature that Northwood glasses are famous for. Although it is not the most valuable Glass on this list, it is far more precious than most of the Glass available. It is also uncommon. It was sold for $45,000.

18. Fenton’s carnival glass thumbprint emerged. – Value: $702

Fenton's carnival glass thumbprint emerged
Fenton’s carnival glass thumbprint emerged (Source: Invaluable)

The Thumbprint, one of Fenton’s works, is unique. It is available in plum opalescence, with a ruffled rim bowl and three jack-in-the-pulpit vases. It was created in the late twentieth century. It was sold for $702.

19. Northwood Dandelion Water set – Value: $549

Northwood Dandelion Water set - Value $549
Northwood Dandelion Water set – Value $549

This water set has one of the most beautiful carnival glasses in the world. It was produced between the years of 1920 and 1929. It is iridescent, from the pitcher’s tip to the bottom, where the Northwood signature is. It is valued at $549.

Where Can I Sell Carnival Glass?

Collectors are constantly on the lookout for antiques to purchase. They scour the internet for discoveries. Your carnival glass can be sold in the following ways:

Online

You can sell it online by listing it on antique-specific online marketplaces. There are several of them, such as eBay and Etsy. You can sell your carnival glass in whole or in pieces.

Local Auction House

You can sell at your local auction house if there is no one in your area. It is one of the simplest methods to market your carnival glass and receive payment almost immediately.

Sell to Collectors and Individuals

You can sell carnival glasses to individuals or dealers. It may not be as simple unless you know how and where to contact collectors. It is, however, one of the simplest ways to sell your carnival glass.

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