Prayer Rug Creamer

By Alan & Lorraine Pickup

Just when you think you have seen it all something like this materializes out of the past.  This Fenton custard creamer with nice marigold iridescence was found on eBay and hardly caused a blip on the collector radar screen. There are the two handle bonbons that sell now and then and usually carry a $500 + price tag, unless they are really ugly. And reportedly two plates also known with this marigold iridescence treatment, one sold for $7300 in 1993, but we cannot find any mention in our books on this creamer being made. Was this part of a breakfast set?

The four shapes that we are familiar with in custard glass are the 2-handled bonbons, a shallow bowl, an eight-inch plate, in all probability made from the bowl mold or visa versa, and a small vase. The bonbon and plate are pictured in a 1915 selection of glass from an early Fenton catalogue in Bill Heacock’s book, “Fenton Glass, The First Twenty-Five Years”. Also the Butler Brothers wholesale catalogues show ads in 1916 and 1917 picturing again just the bonbon and the plate in custard glass. 

Most of the marigold over custard Prayer Rug bonbons we have seen leave something to be desired as to the quality of the marigold iridescence.  The creamer follows this pattern. There are a few areas where the iridescence is absent. The size of this creamer could be classified as relatively petite. It Measures 3 ¾ inches to the top of the handle and has a 3-inch bowl diameter. The 2-½-inch foot has ten panels extending up to the base of the bowl. And the prayer rug ribbon design surrounds the bowl. The handle has fine ribs. We have to wonder if these marigold over custard items were made near the opening days of iridescence pressed glass.

So the bottom line is we are thrilled to have the good fortune to own this piece and now will somebody please send us the sugar bowl? Okay then, just tell us you have one or have seen one.            alpickup@sbcglobal.net