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I've got a red, geometric Carnival pattern, or I've got a piece of Carnival in blue/ amber/ lime with grapes and leaves on it. What is it? It's probably Indiana Glass. 
This is the Egg Hors d'Oeuvre dish in "Iridescent Amethyst". |
One of the most common predicaments that faces almost all Carnival
collectors at some point is trying to sort out the newer, contemporary
Carnival from the old, Classic Carnival. The "predicament" can't be
addressed in one, easy FAQ, but we can begin by looking at a topic that
crops up time after time in the Woodsland daily mailing lists:
contemporary Carnival made by the Indiana Glass Company.
Brief History of Indiana Glass Company
The Indiana Glass Company of Dunkirk, Indiana, came into being around
the turn of the century, making a wide range of pressed and blown glass
(mainly tableware). Their origins were in the Beatty & Brady Glass
Company, founded in 1896 and taken over by the National Glass Company in
1899. The Indiana Glass Company was formed after the National was placed
in receivership in 1907. The company went through various changes of
fortune and was merged with the Lancaster Lens Company in 1955. A
further merger in 1961 produced the Lancaster Colony Corporation.
Indiana Glass Company is a subsidiary of this corporation and they are
still in operation today. 
This is the Harvest Supper Tray in "Iridescent Green." |
What about Indiana's Carnival Glass?
Indiana Glass introduce Carnival to their range in 1971: at this point
there were few lines and mostly they were limited in number. "Iridescent
Blue" was the first Carnival color they used. By 1974 they had added
"Iridescent Gold" (an amber/ marigold shade), "Iridescent Sunset" (an amberina /red color), "Iridescent Green" and "Iridescent Amethyst." The
colors are very distinctive, with a slightly purplish iridescence - very
attractive and collectible in their own right. None of Indiana's
Carnival Glass is trademarked, but their Carnival patterns are very
distinctive and none of them are actual reproductions or re-issues of
old patterns.
There are two, fairly easily found Indiana patterns, that often confuse collectors.
Advertisement for Indiana's Heirloom Series. |
THE HEIRLOOM SERIES
Indiana Glass Company's Heirloom Series was produced around 1975-6, and
there was quite a wide range of shapes made in the pattern. The pieces
are not reproduction even though they look VERY similar to Imperial's
"Crabclaw" or "Octagon"). The pattern feaures hobstars and a crabclaw
like' shape between the hobstar panels. Between the "claws" on most
pieces, is a solid cane-like pattern. The handle on the creamer and
pitcher is indented like the Imperial Fashion' ones are. The color they
are often seen in is an amber to red shade, that Indiana called "Sunset
Carnival Glass" and when initially sold each carried an Heirloom Series
sticker. The pattern range was also made in amethyst and marigold (a
kind of golden shade) Carnival.What were the shapes in the "Heirloom Series?" Large water pitcher,
goblets, various bowls, vases, butter dish, cake stand, punch set,
candle holder, rosebowl, plate, baskets, tumblers and so on.
Advertisement for Indiana's Harvest Series. |
INDIANA'S HARVEST PATTERN
Now here's another one that foxes collectors into thinking it's an old
pattern. Grape bunches and leaves are the main feature of this design
and a surprising range of shapes was made in it. The color usually seen
is a blue that has a wonderful iridescence with flashes of purple and
green. Gold (marigold) and lime were also used in this pattern range. A
distinctive feature is the finial on the covered items - it resembles a
bunch of grapes. Another distinctive feature is the plastic ladle with
the punch set; note also that the punch set is simply a huge, deep bowl.
It does not have a stand. There was a multitude of shapes in the
"Harvest" pattern: water sets, candy dishes and jars, a large covered
compote, supper tray, punch set, candlesticks and more! According to
Indiana Glass Company's original advertising, you could choose between
goblets or tumblers in the "Harvest" pattern. They were not sold as sets
with the pitcher - each shape was separate. So - the pitcher was sold
alone as "70 oz. Harvest Pitcher". The goblets were sold in sets of 4 as
"9 oz. Harvest 4 pc. goblet set". The large tumblers were sold in sets
of 4 as "14 oz. Harvest 4 pc. Cooler set" and smaller tumblers were sold
in sets of 6 as "5 oz. Harvest 6 pc. Juice set".
This is the Hostess plate. |
OTHER INDIANA PATTERNS
Another pattern that crops up quite regularly is one that looks like
"Hob and Button." Based on a Sowerby (England) pattern, the Indiana
version was called the "Hostess" plate (10" diameter) and came in blue
and gold. A frequently found item is the large, "Oval Center Bowl" (12"
x 8.5") that stands on four little feet. It has a scalloped edge and an
exterior pattern of fruit that includes bananas! Other distinctive
shapes from Indiana include the "Hen On Nest" (5.5" high), the large
"Egg Hors d'Oeuvre Tray" (13" diameter), the "Harvest" supper tray and
the eggplate.References and further reading:
- wwwcga Daily Mailing Lists
- "The Beauty of Old Albany Glass" Marcelle Bond (history of Indiana Glass
Company)
- "Presznick's Encyclopedia of New Carnival and Iridescent Glass" Rose M.
Presznick
- Check out John Valentine's Contemporary Carnival website at
www.carnivalglass.net
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