Fenton Hobnail glass, dating from 1930, is decorated with a pattern of bumps. The term “hobnail” comes from the nails with thick heads that were used to secure and protect the soles of boots. Hobnail patterns can be seen on anything from dishes, candlesticks, lamps and vases.
Early hobnail pieces such as Fenton brand had a signature look to them. No matter what the piece was made for (soap dish, perfume or even holding fine liquor) it came with a wooden lid or stopper adorned with a round wooden finial. The glass itself is not marked with the manufacturer’s name; rather it is marked on the underside of the lid.
In the later years of hobnail glass, the wooden toppers were replaced with matching color glass, but still had the round knobs on top. Fenton produced many colors of hobnail glass, the most popular being the opaque milk glass. The most rare and sought after color is an opalescent cranberry that was used in some vanity sets and miscellaneous items before it disappeared in the late 1950s.
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Desirable Fenton Hobnail slowly drifted away in the mid 20th century. Production costs were up and handcrafted hobnail was becoming hard to find as the world of machines took over. A collector of hobnail may find these lovely pieces hard to come across, but not impossible if willing to spend some time and money to build their collection.
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