For decoration, purpose, or inspiration, Fenton glass has been created for over a hundred years, one of its more famous variations being Fenton Milk Glass.
Fenton Milk Glass originated in 1958 from the Fenton Glass Company established in 1905. Fenton Glass began making their glass less dense and slightly transparent. This created a milky look to the glass itself and the milk was adapted into the title of the glass.
Fenton Milk Glass’ “milk” white glassware is the company’s most popular color. The glass is known for its flawlessness and beautiful designs.
Value of Fenton Milk Glass
What is Fenton milk glass worth? Is it valuable?
Most Fenton Milk Glass pieces typically sell from ten to fifty dollars ($10-$50). Some rarer or larger milk glass items, such as lamps, decanters, and vases, may sell from between fifty and two hundred dollars ($50 – $200).
How to Tell if Milk Glass is Fenton
A person can tell if a particular Milk Glass item is created by Fenton using the following four strategies and features:
- Creamy texture
- Looks translucent under light
- Has a Fenton Mark
- Raised designs on the glass
Typically, Milk Glass is white, although there are other colors that are common enough for Fenton Milk Glass. Such common colors are blue, pink, or black. All of these colors are similar in that it is opaque and smooth, which gives the effect as if the vase is “milky” in color and texture. Hence, the “Milk” part of the Fenton Glass name. This is only one way to tell if Milk Glass is Fenton.
If a person has something they believe is Fenton Milk Glass, another easy way to see if it’s Fenton-made is to put it underneath bright light. This is a second way to know if this is real Fenton Milk Glass. The glass should look translucent underneath the light. If there is no light that is passing through the glass, then it is not Fenton-made.
Fenton marks are usually found at the bottom of the glass. On the bottom, there is a raised oval with the Fenton name on it. This is the most common and probably the easiest way to tell if Milk Glass is Fenton.
Age of Fenton Milk Glass
Fenton Glass in general has been around for over a hundred years, ever since 1905! However, they started making Fenton Milk Glass in 1958, over fifty years later.
The reason for this age gap is because in previous years before 1958, the Fenton Glass was not as dense, solid, or opaque. In later years, it became more opaque, and the name “Milk” was added. It became one of the more popular glasses that the Fenton Glass Company had created then, and today as well. So, the age of Fenton Milk Glass is a little over 60 years in this time and age.
Hobnail Milk Glass Creators
Introduced in the 1970s, the Hobnail Milk Glass came back in fashion around the 2000s. They were lower in price, and very popular in many areas and people around. The Hobnail Milk Glass was created by Fenton Glass Company.
Fenton Glass Company still creates Hobnail Milk Glass to this day, as do a small handful of other companies. The Fenton Glass Company that is still going today resides in West Virginia at present.
Fenton Milk Glass and Lead
A lot of people wonder if Fenton Milk Glass has lead in it, and some worry if the amount of lead in Fenton Milk Glass can be considered harmful.
First of all, yes, Fenton Milk Glass contains lead in it; 136 ppm Lead.
Second, there is not enough of it in the glass to be anxious over the lead. Most likely, the Fenton Milk Glass that you have will not harm yourself or others that may be around it often.
However, there are a couple of minor warnings to be told if one is really worried. If the glass has scratches or is worn down from other substances previously in use, then there may be some lead leaking out.
Fenton Milk Glass: Place of Creation
Fenton Milk Glass was made by Fenton Art Glass – a family-owned company, where most, if not all, the Fenton Glasses were created. It all began in Ohio in 1905, but as demand began to increase, the company moved to West Virginia.
Because of the Milk Glass’ popularity, it eventually led to the creation of the white hobnail glass.
Fenton Milk Glass Markings
Fenton Milk Glass can be marked by a few things. In its early days, Fenton Milk glass could be identified as such by the stickers on the bottoms, but those became easily lost. Later, they began to mold a raised oval-shaped logo, which would then have the logo from the Fenton creators.
On the raised oval, the logo could be a few things. “Fenton” would be on there, or just an “F.” In the 1980s, the Fenton creators began to put the decade number by the name, like the number 8 after Fenton, which would tell customers it was made sometime in 1980.
Also, besides the branding of the Fenton Milk Glass, an easier way to tell is the designs of Fenton Milk Glass. As said before, these designs could be grapes, birds, or leaves
Does Fenton Milk Glass Glow?
From the first section, if a person takes a piece of Fenton Milk Glass and places it under light, the glass will look transparent. In other words, the light will shine through the glass. If not, then what you own may not be Fenton Milk Glass.
