Fenton Holly Pattern Ruffled Carnival Glass Bowl in Lavender/Wisteria

This exquisite piece is a Fenton Art Glass bowl featuring the iconic 'Holly' pattern, executed in a stunning iridescent lavender or wisteria-toned carnival glass. The bowl exhibits a deeply crimped or ruffled edge, a hallmark of Fenton's Early American style. The interior is embossed with a high-relief pattern of holly leaves and berries surrounding a central multi-petaled flower or snowflake-like medallion. The glass possesses a strong iridescence, displaying a spectrum of metallic pinks, blues, and golds across the surface when it catches the light. The color appears to be a light amethyst or lavender base glass, often associated with Fenton's mid-20th-century production or later re-issues. The piece shows exceptional craftsmanship with crisp mold details and uniform ruffling. Condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or significant surface scratches, and the iridescence remains vibrant without signs of 'wear-off' or dullness. This pattern was originally introduced in the early 1900s, but this specific coloration and clarity suggest a later 20th-century production, possibly from the 1970s revival era. The bowl's size is medium, typically ranging between 7 and 9 inches in diameter.

Based on my examination of this Fenton 'Holly' pattern ruffled bowl, I have determined it to be a high-quality example of contemporary carnival glass. While the Holly pattern dates back to 1911, the wisteria/lavender base color and the crispness of the mold indicate this is likely a 1970s-era reissue rather than an antique 'Old Fenton' piece. The iridescence is exceptionally vibrant, showing a superior 'oil slick' effect with strong magentas and teals, which is highly desirable for collectors of mid-century carnival glass. The physical condition appears excellent; the points of the ruffles are intact, and the interior embossing shows no evidence of 'stack wear' or surface degradation. Currently, the market for 1970s Fenton remains stable but accessible. Rare antique colors can fetch hundreds, but these later reissues serve as the backbone of the secondary market, consistently selling in the mid-double-digit range. The specific wisteria hue provides a slight premium over more common marigold or green pieces. Limitations of this digital appraisal include the inability to verify the presence of a Fenton logo stamp (introduced in the 1970s) or check for micro-flea bites along the base ring. A physical inspection to confirm the glass weight and a check for mold marks or signatures on the underside would be required for a definitive date of manufacture. Documentation of original purchase or a vintage catalog match would further solidify its provenance.