Fenton Amberina Swung Vase Value Guide

The Fenton Amberina Swung Vase is a quintessential piece of mid-century modern Americana, prized for its dramatic height and fiery color gradient. These vases are highly collectible because each piece is unique, having been hand-swung by glassmakers to stretch the neck while the glass was still molten.

What Is Fenton Amberina Swung Vase Worth?

The typical price range for Fenton Amberina Swung Vase is $45 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The intensity and balance of the red-to-orange color gradient significantly impact the market value.
• Overall height and the dramatic nature of the 'swing' can increase desirability among MCM collectors.
• The presence of an original Fenton foil label or a sandblasted logo (found on later 1970s pieces) aids in authentication.
• Condition is critical, as chips or 'flea bites' on the delicate scalloped rim will reduce the value below the $45-$50 range.

How to Identify Fenton Amberina Swung Vase?

• Look for the distinct Amberina color transition, which shifts from a deep ruby red at the top to a golden orange or yellow base.
• Examine the rim for a scalloped or 'petal' edge, a signature detail of Fenton's mid-century swung glass production.
• Check for a smooth, fire-polished finish and the absence of mold seams on the upper neck, indicating it was stretched by hand.
• Identify the presence of cadmium and selenium in the glass composition, which gives the piece its heat-sensitive reactive properties.

History of Fenton Amberina Swung Vase

Amberina glass was first patented by the New England Glass Company in 1883. It is created through a reheating process where chemicals in the glass react to heat, turning portions from yellow to ruby red. Companies like Fenton popularized this 'swung' style during the 1960s, where glass blowers would literally swing the molten glass to stretch the neck.