AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a vintage glass basket crafted by the Fenton Art Glass Company, featuring their iconic 'Hobnail' pattern in a striking rose pink opalescent color scheme. The basket is constructed from pressed glass with a deep, bulbous bowl decorated with uniform raised bumps (hobs) that transition into a wide, ruffled rim. The rim exhibits a delicate white opalescent gradient at the edges, characteristic of Fenton's mid-century heat-treated glassware. It features an applied hand-pressed transparent glass handle with a twisted or rope-like texture, which is fused to the main body at two attachment points. The piece appears to stand approximately 6-8 inches tall including the handle. The color is vibrant and consistent across the body, while the opalescence adds depth and a soft glow to the ruffles. Under close inspection, the condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or flea bites on the hobs or the delicate ruffled edge. There is no discernible maker's mark visible in the photograph, suggesting it may be a pre-1970s piece before Fenton began stamping their logo into the glass. This item represents a Mid-Century Modern or late Art Deco influence and is highly collectible for its craftsmanship and the technical skill required to produce the ruffles and applied handle.

I have examined the descriptions and visual characteristics of this Fenton Pink Opalescent Hobnail Glass Basket. The piece represents a classic example of Fenton's 'Rosalene' or 'Pink Opalescent' line, likely produced between 1940 and 1970. The absence of an embossed logo confirms its pre-1970 vintage, which is preferred by collectors. The clarity of the hobnails and the uniformity of the opalescent rim suggest a high-quality production run. Visually, the piece appears in excellent condition; Fenton glass is particularly susceptible to 'flea bites' on the hobs and 'asmade' stress fractures where the handle is fused to the body, neither of which are visible here. The market for mid-century Fenton remains stable but saturated; while the pink opalescent colorway is highly desirable and displays well, these baskets were produced in significant quantities. Similar pieces currently realize between $45 and $65 in regional auctions and online marketplaces. The value is buoyed by the undamaged ruffled rim, as chips in the opalescent edging significantly devalue glass collectibles. However, a definitive valuation is limited by the digital nature of this inspection. A physical examination is required to verify the presence of 'pontil' marks, check for interior lime scale (water staining), and search for faint acid-etched marks that might indicate a later 'second' or a specific artist's signature. Full authentication would also benefit from provenance regarding its original purchase or a black-light test to check for the presence of specific minerals used in mid-century glass formulas.