Fenton Handpainted Christmas Bell 6" Porcelain 1984 Santa Fireplace Girl Dog
No Box. In used condition, has some minor wear.
Please look through the pictures to see the condition of the bell.
Limited Edition. #206 of 7500.
Come Checkout My Other Fenton Bells! We Combine Shipping!
***********************************************************************************************************************************
Little History:
The
original factory was in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in
1905.[1] The factory at one time was owned by the former West Virginia
Glass Company.[2] At first they painted glass blanks from other glass
makers, but started making their own glass when they became unable to
buy the materials they needed.[2] They moved across the Ohio River to
Williamstown, West Virginia, and built a factory in 1906. The first year
for glass production was 1907.[1] In 1908 John Fenton left the company
and founded the Millersburg glass company in Millersburg, OH.[1]
Frank
Fenton was the designer and decorator. From 1905 to 1920, the designs
made there were heavily influenced by two other glass companies: Tiffany
and Steuben. But the many different colors were the work of Jacob
Rosenthal, a famous glass chemist who is known for developing chocolate
and golden agate glass.[3] Towards the end of 1907, the Fenton brothers
were the first to introduce carnival glass, which later became a popular
collector's item.[4]
During the Great Depression and World War
II, Fenton produced practical items (such as mixing bowls and tableware)
due to shortages. At the same time, they continued creating new colors.
Towards the end of the Great Depression they also produced perfume
bottles for the Wrisley Company in 1938. The bottles were made in French
opalescent glass with the hobnail pattern.[5]
In 1940, Fenton
started selling Hobnail items in French Opalescent, Green Opalescent and
Cranberry Opalescent. The Hobnail pattern glass would become the
top-selling line and allowed the Fenton company to exist during WWII and
to expand after the war.
In the late 1940s, the top three
members of Fenton's management died. Frank Fenton and Wilmer C. "Bill"
Fenton immediately stepped in and took over the positions of President
and Vice President, respectively. Over the next thirty years, they
continued to expand Fenton Art Glass, despite a large number of glass
factories closing down.
In 1986, George W. Fenton, Frank's son, took over as President of the company.[6]
Maker marks
In
1970, the company added their logo to the bottom of their "Original
Formula" Carnival Glass pieces to distinguish them from their older
Carnival Glass pieces. By 1974, Fenton was putting their logo on all the
pieces they made. Pieces made in the 1980s have the number eight under
the letter "n" in the logo, pieces from the 1990s have the number nine
and pieces made in the 2000s have a 0 in the same place.[7] From June
1996 to July 1998 Fenton marked preferred seconds sold in their gift
shop with a sandblasted solid or hollow star.[8] In August 1998 an F
replaced the star.[8]
Another type of mark is found on glass
baskets. Where the glass handles of the baskets are attached to the base
of the basket a stamp is made.[9] Each handler had a specific pattern
to help identify which handler attached the handle.[9] The marks began
in the 1950s and were instituted by Frank M. and Bill Fenton.
Closure
On August 9, 2007, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "cease... operations over the next few months."
Their
plans involved laying off 25 employees immediately, and in the
following weeks, the rest of their workers would be laid off.[31]
However, on December 4, 2007, Fenton Art Glass released a press
statement, saying that due to an unexpected buying frenzy and internal
restructuring, the company would stay open until at least the spring of
2008.[32] In an open letter in August 2008, company president George
Fenton said that thanks to the buying frenzy, the company had been able
to institute some reforms, and would not be closing in the foreseeable
future.[33]
On July 6, 2011, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press
release stating they would "wind down production of its collectible and
giftware glass products."
According to WTAP TV, "The company
cites financial challenges since its restructuring in 2007 and recent
developments as factors in its decision to shut down its traditional
glassmaking business. Fenton Art Glass says it's exploring the sales of
one or more of its product lines."[34]
Fenton ceased
"traditional" glassmaking at the Williamstown, West Virginia, factory in
July 2011. However, the factory remained open as a jewelry making
operation, producing handcrafted glass beads and Teardrop earrings. The
Fenton Gift Shop, located in the same building, also had a large
quantity of glass remaining in their inventory. Visitors to the factory
were still able to watch the beadmaking demonstrations and purchase
Fenton Art Glass.
In June 2017, Wood County Schools
Superintendent John Flint signed an agreement to purchase the land that
the former Fenton Glass Factory occupied. In October 2017, it was
announced that demolition of the factory buildings would begin by the
end of 2017, and that the new school, to be named the
Williamstown-Waverly Elementary School, will occupy the factory's
employee and visitor parking areas. Art glass using the original Fenton
mold designs, including the Fenton emblem, continues to be produced at
another factory in nearby Ohio, while handcrafted jewelry and hand
painted items will continue to be offered at the new Fenton Art Glass
Gift Shop at 2242 Williams Highway, Williamstown, WV 26187