The Colors of Joyce Seale : Green

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Green & Emerald Green
Many colors have claimed the "hottest" moniker in carnival glass. Red held the crown for a time, Aqua Opal has been there, pastels have shared the title. Recently, though, one color has been "THE" color to collect in carnival glass, and that color is Emerald Green. Values on Emerald Green have drawn several records in the past few years. The name "Emerald Green", though, always sparks a debate as collectors cannot seemingly agree what constitutes the color. Below, however, are many examples of Green and Emerald Green that always draw a collectors interest, simply because they are fantastically gorgeous.

Below are brilliant examples of Emerald Green (although the heavy blue iridescence on the Homestead chop plate doesn't like to expose itself in photographs. In person, though, you can't deny the piece is drenched in rich blue iridescence across the entire face of the chop plate.) The Singing Birds pitcher, however, has no such problems with modesty. This pitcher screams with blues on top of green base glass to give you a prime example of what many consider "true" Emerald Green. Expect these pieces to do well in the auction (and as we have seen in recent years, people sometimes tend to lose control of themselves when hunting for Emerald.)

Left: Homestead Chop Plate in Emerald Green. Right: Singing Birds water pitcher in Emerald Green.
To see a larger version of the pictures above, click one.

The Mikado compote below is possibly one of the prettiest examples of this pattern ever seen. Flashing copious amounts of Emerald Green iridescence, it also has the distinction of having heavy blue iridescence on the pattern, while the background of the piece frames the pattern in lovely greens and golds. The rare Wishbone chop plate has blue iridescence as well, but is a very fine example of how green can shine on its own sometimes. Chop plates also seem to always fare very well when one finds its way to market. This one has many admirers.

Left: Mikado ruffled compote in Emerald Green. Right: Wishbone Chop Plate in Green.

Below are two very fine examples of green. The Captive Rose plate in green may not be the most rare of pieces, but this one will easily reach the upper echelon of values for the pattern simply because the electric nature of its green, yellow and gold iridescence makes it a sunny spot in any collection. Much higher on the rarity scale, however, and with fantastic iridescence of its own is the Peter Rabbit plate. All sorts of colors are evident in the iridescence for this plate, which was one of Joyce's jewels of her collection. The high bidder on the piece will have a gorgeous treasure in their hands.

Left: Captive Rose Plate in Green. Right: Peter Rabbit plate in Green.

Green is the toughest color for Concord plates, and this one is an excellent example. Not too many of these are known, and this one is fantastic. Green is also the toughest to find this Forget Me Not tankard with the Three Bands and a matching tumbler. This one one of the great examples of enameled pieces in Joyce's collection.

Left: Concord Plate in Green. Right: Enameled Forget Me Not Three Bands tankard and tumbler in Green.

This Banded Drape version of the Forget Me Not tankard has absolutely gorgeous flowers enameled on the side with pretty blues and pinks. It also has a matching tumbler. Now many people have a good example of the Northwood Town Pump in amethyst/purple, but how many have one in Green? Green and Marigold are tough colors for this piece, and the green one in this collection is one of the prettier ones. Will it be yours?

Left: Enameled Forget Me Not Banded Drape tankard and one tumbler in Green. Right: Northwood Town Pump in Green.

Now Emerald Green Rose Show plates have been around a while. They are super valuable, even if they have less blue iridescence than some. This one, however, is an absolute screamer. Probably one of the top examples of a Rose Show plate in any color, the Emerald Green iridescence truly knocks your socks off on this piece. There will definitely be a battle to take this one home. The Emerald Green Wishbone footed ruffled bowl below is also one of the better examples of the few of these known.

Left: Rose Show plate in Emerald Green. Right: Wishbone footed ruffled bowl in Emerald Green.

The pieces will sell Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Embassy Suites Kansas City International Airport by the Seeck Auction Company. To learn more about the Heart of America Carnival Glass Association's convention, of which this auction is a part, please visit HOACGA's website at www.hoacga.org.