Fenton

Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905 by Frank Fenton and his brother John Fenton. The two brothers started with painting decorations on the glass blanks that were produced by other glass manufacturers and then decided to produce their own glass, due to their inability to get the glass they needed. In January, 1907, they produced the first glass from the new factory they had opened, in West Virginia. The Fenton glasses that were produced till 1920's were heavily influenced by artists from Tiffany, and Steuben. Fenton started producing practical items such as mixing bowls, and tableware, during the 1930's and 1940's. These glasses are shaped and surfaced by pressing the glass into a mold, then removing it from the mold. They are then given their desired shapes with the help hand tools to produce the final product. Later, on more emphasis was given on the production of opaque colored glasses, which in turn led to the popularity of Fenton's Victorian styles of glasses. After twelve years in 1952, Fenton started selling tons of items in white glass which looked like porcelain, especially hobnail milk glasses having regular arrays of bumps. The company expanded it business in 1950's and 1960's after its hobnail became its top of the line selling product. There were a variety of objects made of white glass such as vases, baskets, etc. These baskets were produced in different shapes and sizes, however they were discontinued later. Today, Fenton glasses are known for their beautiful colors and patterns. Each piece of glass is an artistic creation by skilled glassworkers, and decorators. Fenton products along with some of the discontinued items are available online.