FENTON ART GLASS
MADE IN THE USA
The Fenton Art Glass Company was
founded in 1905 by Frank L.
Fenton and his brother John W. Fenton in an old glass factory building
in Martins Ferry, Ohio.
They began by painting decorations on glass blanks
made
by other glass manufacturers. Soon, being unable to get the glass they
needed, they decided to produce their own glass.
The first glass from the new Fenton factory in
Williamstown, West Virginia, was made on January 2, 1907.
During its 106-year history, Fenton introduced the
first
iridescent ware (now known as "Carnival glass") as well as classic
patterns such as
Hobnail, Burmese and a wide variety of handmade
colored
art glass as limited editions.
Sadly, on July 6, 2011, the Fenton Art Glass
Company
announced that it would cease production of its collectible and
giftware glass products.
The company had faced financial challenges since
its
restructuring in 2007, and recent developments combined to force the
shutdown of its traditional glassmaking business.
