Dugan Epergnes

by Larry Keig

Originally published in: The Carnival Pump, Vol. XLV No. 4 (June 2011)

In classic carnival, an epergne is a flower holder, although a specific type of vase. As a unit, it consists of a base into which one or more lilies (the vase or vases) fit. There weren’t many epergnes made by U.S. carnival manufacturers. Dugan produced only two.

Dugan’s epergnes were made early in the company’s history. The more common of the two was probably introduced in 1910, with production continuing for about two years. The other, seldom seen one was likely put into production later and may have been marketed for only a few months.

Why epergnes were made for such a short time is an unanswerable question. But one can speculate. A possibility is loss of moulds when fire destroyed much of the factory in 1912. Another is the difficulty, time, and expense of producing pieces that had to fit well together. Yet another: they were priced at more than dime-store customers were willing or able to pay. One more: the shape may have been considered too high-falutin’ to appeal to the common people for whom the glass was produced.

Dugan’s epergnes are made up of a single lily and a dome-footed base. The base, with hole into which the lily is to be held, is essentially a nine-inch bowl.

Fishnet

While not seen all that often, Fishnet epergnes can be found without too much difficulty. But procuring one where the two pieces match in color and iridescent quality can pose quite a challenge. The lily has the netting, which covers virtually all the exterior surface. Its interior is unpatterned. The base has no pattern on either the interior or the underbelly, save for a star design on the underside of the dome. The unit, from lower rim of base to top of lily, measures about eight inches.

Bases and lilies come with two edge treatments and in two colors. Some have ruffled edges, others three-and-one; these are available in about equal numbers. They are also found with ruffled base and three-andone lily, or vice versa. These may have left the factory that way, or they may have been cobbled together at some later date. Those with matching edge treatments on base and lily should bring more money, but that’s not usually the case. It’s generally color (base, surface, iridescence, opalescence), not other factors, which affects price.

Fishnet epergnes have been reported only in peach opal and purple/oxblood, the former easier to find than the latter. The peach opal vary considerably in surface color. Some are a bright orange and showy, others pale or washed out. It is difficult to find a purple where the luster of base and lily are complementary. For whatever reason, the iridescence on the upper surface of the base is usually better than that on the lily, which is often silvery.

Strawberry

Strawberry epergnes are rare. They have been reported only in purple. Finding one where iridescence of lily and base match is virtually impossible. In most instances, the color on the upper surface of the bowl is far superior to that of the lily’s exterior, which is often gun-metal in surface effect. However, inner surfaces of lilies are sometimes nicely iridized, with multi-colored luster. The pattern-defining design is found on the top surface of the base. Pleasing and well proportioned, it consists of a cluster of strawberries, vines, and leaves which cover nearly all the available area.

The lily features two competing design elements. The top portion is made up of lattice work, not unlike the exterior of swung Lattice and Points vases. The lower part consists of six panels of hobs, each panel having eight hobs placed vertically against a stippled background. This portion resembles alternating panels of the Formal vase, with its hobs also set against a stippled background. (The other panels of Formal vases carry the Soda Gold pattern.)

The outer edge of the base is ruffled, the rim of the lily tightly-crimped. No exceptions have been reported although anomalies (that is, whimseys) may exist. Strawberry epergnes are taller than the Fishnet because the lily is longer. The unit, from lower rim of domed foot to top edge of lily, stands about ten inches.

The two accompanying tables summarize edge treatments and colors of bases and lilies for both epergne patterns. Photos which appear here have been graciously provided by Carl and Eunice Booker and Gary Roach, whose eBay listing of a lovely Strawberry epergne inspired this article.