Fenton Carnival Glass Iris Pattern Footed Vase in Iridescent Purple

This is a vintage Fenton Carnival Glass vase featuring the distinctive 'Iris' or 'Tulip' floral pattern. The piece is crafted from pressed glass with a deep purple or amethyst base color, finished with a heavy iridescent luster that exhibits a rich oil-slick effect with hues of violet, magenta, and teal. Standing on a fluted, multi-toed footed base, the body of the vase rises into six large, petal-like scallops that mimic the shape of a blooming flower. Each petal is intricately textured with raised veining and serrated edges, characteristic of Fenton's early to mid-20th-century craftsmanship. The interior maintains a high-gloss finish, reflecting light through the translucent glass. While no specific maker's mark is visible in the photograph, the pattern and mold style are iconic to Fenton Art Glass. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or significant surface scratches. The iridized coating is well-preserved, showing consistent saturation across the textured exterior. This style of carnival glass was popular in the early 1900s through the mid-century, prized for its ability to mimic more expensive blown 'Favrile' glass at a mass-market price point.

Based on my examination of the Fenton 'Iris' pattern footed vase in amethyst/purple, I have determined it to be a classic example of early 20th-century pressed carnival glass. The iridescence is particularly strong, displaying a desirable 'oil slick' color gamut with deep violets and teals. The vessel stands on the traditional multi-toed base, and the mold strike appears crisp, suggesting an earlier production run before mold degradation occurred. My visual assessment confirms the piece is in excellent condition; I observe no 'flea bites' on the serrated petal edges or heat checks in the base, which are common in this form. The market for Fenton carnival glass remains stable for high-saturation pieces like this one, though it has softened slightly from its peak in the early 2000s. Comparables for this specific Amethyst Iris vase typically range between $110 and $190 at specialty glass auctions. The 'purple' base color is more desirable than the marigold variant, though less rare than the red or aqua opal specimens. Limitations of this appraisal include the inability to tactilely inspect for internal stress fractures or professional restorations that may be hidden by the luster. A definitive authentication would require a physical inspection to verify the weight, surface 'tackiness' characteristic of period iridized salts, and the presence of any late-century Fenton logos which would significantly lower the value. Provenance regarding the original purchase or collection history would further solidify this valuation.