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With all the versions of Grape & Cable around, how do I know which one I have? Okay, the easiest way to answer this question is to ask more specific questions...
How do you tell the difference between Fenton's and
Northwood's versions of GRAPE AND CABLE?
This is a vexed question that crops up constantly amongst Carnival collectors. Hopefully, with the aid of all the observations
below, it should never be a problem again!
GRAPE AND CABLE was made by both Fenton and Northwood in Carnival Glass.
It was a very popular pattern, and Northwood's output in particular was
characterized by an astonishing range of shapes. The pattern is
distinguished from similar grape designs by the rope like cable that
usually encircles the design. (Note we used our favorite word "usually"!
Northwood's Grape and Cable is also known in a variation known to some
as Banded Grape and Cable, where the cable is replaced by a plain band).
Before we start counting grapes and looking at slanty lines to distinguish between the two manufacturers, let's get the easy stuff out of the way. First check your piece of Grape and Cable for the following easy distinguishing characteristics.SHAPES
Fenton only made both collar based and scroll footed bowls and plates as well as large 'orange' bowls with scroll feet, some of which have the Persian Medallion interior. Northwood, however, made a much wider range of shapes: collar based and spatula footed bowls, berry sets, plates in four different sizes, a handled bonbon, one handled nappy, sherbert dish, banana bowl, centerpiece bowl, orange bowl, breakfast set and table set. There are
also two sizes of water set, three sizes of punch set, a whiskey
decanter with shot glasses and a dressing table set (comprising a hatpin
holder, powder jar, large and small trays and a cologne bottle with a
stopper. Note, the smaller perfume bottle is a Dugan/Diamond product).
More distinctive shapes include the wonderful candlelamp, a tobacco
humidor, cracker jar, fernery and sweetmeat compote as well as large
compotes both open and covered. COLORS
Certain colors can help to determine the manufacturer. Grape and Cable items that are in aqua opal (should you be so lucky!), ice green and ice blue are almost certainly from Northwood. If, on the other hand, you are lucky enough to find a piece in red, amberina, moonstone, celeste blue, vaseline or blue opal - then it's probably Fenton.
EXTERIOR PATTERNS
Northwood used several exterior patterns in combination with Grape and Cable bowls and plates.
1. Basketweave is very typical and easily recognized
2. Ribs - also easily recognized.
3. Meander - this elaborate, stylized floral pattern is used on items
that have spatula shaped feet.
4. Northwood also made some items with a plain exterior.
Fenton's Grape and Cable bowls and plates usually have a plain exterior.
OTHER DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The easiest and most obvious distinguishing mark of all is Northwood's N mark. This will be underlined and contained within a circle. Unfortunately, not every Northwood item carries it. The shaping on the
edge of the piece can also help you to distinguish between Northwood and
Fenton. The pie crust edge finish (PCE) is by Northwood - it's very
distinctive and looks like the neatly pinched edge you might see on
Mom's apple pies! Some Fenton Grape and Cable pieces have an unusual
edge that may be called a Bracket edge or Scallop and Flute. It's
characterized by a wavy line then a little peak, rather like the curly
brackets (parentheses)....}}}
Another distinguishing feature is stippling. If you're lucky enough to have a stippled Grape and Cable item, it'll almost certainly be from Northwood.So, if after going through all the above distinguishing characteristics you still are unsure whether you have a Northwood or a Fenton piece - then you probably have a marigold, green or amethyst bowl or plate. Now's the time to start looking seriously at the grapes and the cabling
in detail.
LET'S LOOK AT THE GRAPES
aka "Pool Balls in a Rack" or
Thistlewood's "Dangerous Grape and Cable' Extrapolation Theory"!!
Fenton's bowls and plates USUALLY have 4 bunches of grapes neatly arranged rather like "pool balls in a rack". There are usually 14 grapes per bunch, though 15 in one bunch is possible. (For the record:- top
row in bunch = 4 grapes. 2nd row = 4 grapes. 3rd row = 3 grapes. 4th row
= 2 grapes. Bottom row = 1 grape. USUALLY!) Northwood's USUALLY have more grapes per bunch - generally more than 14. Further, they may not have equal amounts in each bunch and the grapes are randomly set out, in a more naturalistic manner.
LET'S LOOK AT THE CABLE
Thanks to Dave Cotton, the following is another great way to help you sort out the manufacturer. On Northwood bowls and plates, the cable usually looks like a backward slash \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\. On Fenton bowls
and plates the cable usually looks like a forward slash /////////////.
Are there any modern versions of Grape and Cable?
Lots! Read on. . . .
MODERN VERSIONS OF GRAPE AND CABLE (The good, the bad and the ugly!)
Fakes!
Bowls
Yes, sadly, this pattern has been faked in order to deceive. It comes out of the same stable as the Peacocks and the Good Luck fakes (possibly Korea) - distinguishing characteristics are not constant. Some of the early versions had a very shiny, tinny looking iridescence while others
had a badly oxidized appearance. Often the base has been iridized, but
in recent years, the base has been changed to become a solid disc of
glass, which is easily recognizable. Early versions were heavy and
clumpy, but more recently we've seen examples that are much lighter. The
pattern tends to fill the whole space more, going further out to the
edges than the genuine items. Sometimes there may be a N mark - big and
clumpy looking - and not underlined in a circle. Note that these
characteristics may change little by little over the years. However,
once you've handled a reasonable number of Classic Carnival items, it
isn't too hard to spot these faked imposters.
Hatpin holders
Again, if you've seen the genuine version, these imposters won't fool you. They have fewer, mean looking grapes and the overall impression is not one of good quality. We've seen them in red and ice blue - no doubt there are plenty more colors. A very distinctive feature are the thin,
pointed 'claws' at the top that slope up quite steeply. On the genuine
article, the top of the hatpin holder is much flatter and the
separations are elegantly done. The openings that hold the shafts of the
hatpins are much smaller on the genuine hatpin holders than the wide
open sections found on the fakes. They're useful to have for storing
your hatpins if you can't afford the genuine Northwood article - but
don't pay big prices.Butter dishes
The reproduction butterdish made by Mosser in Carnival is easy to spot as it has a scalloped edge to the base. The genuine article has a fluted, sawtooth type of edge. Ice blue, amber and cobalt blue are the colors found. Chuck Kremer notes that the trademark on the base of the
fake has a N mark, but note that the circle around the N is not
complete. Rose Prezsnick Souvenir
In 1969, Presznick's Carnival Glass Museum had a limited edition souvenir made in the form of a deep purple Carnival Grape and Cable Humidor. Fenton already had the original Northwood mould but until that
date had not made the item in Carnival. Mrs. Presznick made certain that
the item could not confuse collectors, for not only did it have the
Fenton logo, it also had the wording "PRESZNICK'S CARNIVAL GLASS MUSEUM
LODI, OHIO 1969" cut into the base. Note the mould was missing the three
prongs that are present on the inside of the lid (to hold a moist
sponge) on the original item. Fenton items
Attractive bowls and handled baskets have been made by Fenton (clearly marked Fenton) in the Grape and Cable/Thumbprint pattern.
And others?
There are probably more. . . Mosser Glass Inc. produce an attractive range of miniature Grape and Cable table set Carnival items. They currently have a water pitcher, tumbler, butter, sugar and creamer in full size versions in production, but we do not believe they are
producing them in iridized glass (yet).
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