Carnival glass bowls form a part of a larger set of collectibles called carnival glass. Carnival glass is an inexpensive pressed glass to which an iridescent coating is applied or sprayed on, giving it an oil-like sheen. The process is known as doping, and hence the term "dope glass" was given to this particular form of glass. Being initially produced in the early 1900s the sales started to fall in the late thirties.

The glass manufacturer Fenton is the first, largest and widely recognized producer of carnival glass. To start with, this company decorated blank glass produced by other companies. In 1907 they started creating carnival glass. Fenton marketed its glassware immediately after starting production as "Iridill" or iridescent ware. This became popular and many other companies followed suit by making and marketing their own carnival glass bowls.

The demand for their products began to decline in the late twenties. The reason for the decline was the decreasing sales during the depresion and partly also due to the saturation of the market by glass companies. To reduce the dead stock companies began to sell their wares at deeply discounted prices to carnivals, which was used by the carnivals as prizes in their games. During this period many companies shut shop.

Known as "carnival glass" by glass collectors, the popularity of carnival glass bowls surged in the 1950s. Originally used as carnival prizes, today reproductions are made by several companies. Fenton glass in particular is a prized collectible and the most frequently manufactured.

If you're looking for carnival glass, your best bet presently would be auctions, antique shops or online for various prices. Fenton antique glass in particular fetches high prices, along with other popular carnival glass. Marigold and dark hues - such as blue and green - are some of the most common colors. Red pastel colored carnival glass bowls are the most prized and expensive variety. One rare ice-blue colored plate in particular sold for an amazing $16,327.55 on a popular auction website!

For the would-be collector, there are many resources full of information available. Many websites and books are available for information on the many shapes and sizes these antiques come in. There are even organizations for would-be enthusiasts, which is a great way to learn more.

Carnival glass bowls are a highly collectible type of glass. They were produced by covering glass with an iridescent, shiny coating. The largest producer of carnival glass was Fenton. Fenton glassware quickly became popular, and other companies started producing carnival glass as well. Due to market saturation and the Great Depression, demand for carnival glass declined sharply in the late 1920s. Today, antique Fenton glass in particular is sought after by collectors, with red and pastel colored pieces considered the most valuable. Many resources are available for those new to collecting, such as websites and books with information on the various types of carnival glass.