Fenton Blue Hobnail Bowl Value Guide

This Fenton Blue Hobnail Bowl is a premier example of American opalescent glass craftsmanship produced between 1941 and 1944. Its collectible status stems from the iconic raised, rounded bumps and the milky, translucent quality unique to the Fenton Art Glass Company's early mid-century production.

What Is Fenton Blue Hobnail Bowl Worth?

The typical price range for Fenton Blue Hobnail Bowl is $75 - $90 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition is paramount; chips or 'flea bites' on the individual hobnails significantly reduce the $75-$90 market value.
• The intensity of the opalescence, particularly how well the milky white transitions into the blue glass, affects desirability.
• The specific bowl shape and size, as certain variations from the 1941-1944 production run are rarer than standard crimped edges.
• Clarity of the blue glass base, ensuring there is no 'sick glass' cloudiness or internal mineral staining.

How to Identify Fenton Blue Hobnail Bowl?

• Look for the distinct opalescent milky sheen concentrated on the hobnail tips and the rim of the blue glass.
• Verify the specific hobnail pattern which features uniform, rounded protrusions characteristic of Fenton's 1940s molds.
• Note the absence of a stamped Fenton logo, as pieces from the 1941-1944 era were typically identified by paper labels rather than permanent marks.
• Examine the base for a polished pontil or a smooth finish consistent with Fenton's handcrafted manufacturing process.

History of Fenton Blue Hobnail Bowl

Fenton Art Glass Company, founded in 1905, is renowned for its handcrafted glass. The hobnail pattern, characterized by its raised, rounded bumps, became one of Fenton's most popular designs, especially in opalescent glass, which displays a milky, translucent quality. This particular blue opalescent hobnail bowl is a classic example of their early to mid-20th century production.