Fenton Topaz Opalescent Vaseline Glass Hobnail Epergne

This item is a Mid-20th Century Fenton Art Glass epergne, featuring a three-horn (lily) design set within a ruffled bowl base. The piece is crafted from 'Topaz Opalescent' glass, a specific type of uranium glass (commonly known as Vaseline glass) that exhibits a characteristic yellow-green hue and glows neon green under ultraviolet light. The glass is decorated with the iconic 'Hobnail' pattern, consisting of raised, rounded bumps that transition into a milky white opalescent finish along the crimped, ruffled edges of both the bowl and the trumpets. The construction involves a central bowl with three vertical sockets where the removable glass horns are inserted. Each horn features a tapered shape ending in a wide, ruffled mouth. Regarding condition, the glass appears vibrant with no immediately visible cracks or large chips, though these pieces are prone to 'flea bites' on the hobnails or where the horns meet the sockets. Likely manufactured by the Fenton Art Glass Company between the 1940s and 1950s, this piece represents high-quality American press-molded art glass, characterized by complex hand-finishing in the ruffling. The brilliance of the glass and the uniformity of the opalescence indicate superior craftsmanship typical of Fenton's mid-century production.