Fenton Holly Pattern Carnival Glass Ruffled Bowl

This is a vintage carnival glass bowl produced by the Fenton Art Glass Company, featuring the classic 'Holly' relief pattern. The bowl is constructed from pressed glass with a high-degree ruffled or crimped edge. It displays a stunning iridescence over an opalescent glass base, likely what collectors refer to as 'White Carnival' or 'Moonstone' with an Aurora Borealis-like finish. The interior is richly embossed with a wreath of holly leaves and berries, exhibiting fine detailing in the veins of the leaves. The iridescence shows a vibrant spectrum of pinks, greens, and blues when catching the light. Based on the pattern and construction, this piece likely dates to the early 20th century (circa 1910-1920s), although Fenton reissued some patterns later with makers' marks. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips or cracks along the delicate ruffled edges. The iridescence is thick and well-applied, showing no significant 'high point' wear or loss of the metallic coating. The craftsmanship is indicative of Fenton's 'Holly' line, which is highly sought after for its crisp molding and superior color saturation.

I have carefully examined the provided images of this Fenton 'Holly' pattern carnival glass ruffled bowl. The piece exhibits the characteristic crisp molding and nine-ruffle crimped edge synonymous with Fenton's early 20th-century production, circa 1911. The 'White' carnival treatment is particularly desirable, showing a high-quality 'frosty' iridescence with strong pastel highlights of pink and aqua. Based on the visual evidence, the bowl appears to be in excellent condition; I observe no 'flea bites' on the delicate ruffles or significant silvering loss on the holly berry high points, which often suffer from surface wear. The market for Fenton carnival glass remains stable for premium examples in rare colors like white, though it has softened from its peak in the early 2000s. Comparable sales for a 9-inch Holly bowl in this colorway typically range from $150 to $275 depending on the intensity of the iridescence. Please note that while the piece appears authentic, a definitive valuation is limited by the digital format. In-person inspection is required to check for 'soupy' or weak molding indicative of later reissues and to verify the presence or absence of the 'Fenton' script logo introduced in the 1970s, which would significantly reduce the antique value. I would also need to use a high-powered loupe to inspect for internal heat checks or professional grinding along the base ring that might hide previous damage.