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The "Green" 8" hen on nest shown here has big, bulging eyes and other features of Fenton's hen on nest #5182, yet something about her just doesn't seem right. The reason for this is the green hen on nest shown in this section is actually the Gibson Overseas copy of Fenton 8" Hen on Nest #5182. For comparison's sake, we've included photos of Fenton's 8" Hen on Nest #5182 CN, in carnival. The blueish green areas that appear to be slag, or a mix of 2 or more colors, however what appears to be slag is actually a thinning of the glass in that area. The thinner glass in some areas of Gibson Overseas copy of Fenton's 8" hen on nest seems to point towards a lack of quality control, and/or the use of inferior materials for production of glass wares. The thinner glass in some areas of Gibson Overseas copy of Fenton's 8" hen on nest seems to point towards a lack of quality control, and/or the use of inferior materials for production of glass wares. |
Left: Green Gibson Overseas copy of Fenton's 8" Hen on Nest.
Right: Fenton 8" hen on nest, ware #5182 CN, in carnival.
Right: Fenton 8" hen on nest, ware #5182 CN, in carnival.
| When compared to the Carnival Fenton hen on the right, and viewed from the side the Green Gibson Overseas imported copy Hen Top sits deeper in her nest, has a flatter back, a more pointed tip to the tail, a tail which departs the back at a slightly steeper angle, while also lacking the more rounded curve on the rear edge the Fenton hen has. What appears to be slag glass on the green hen is actually a thinner area of the glass, which allowed the flash to show through, creating this pseudo slag look. The Gibson also has less of a turn to her head with a longer wattle, and other differences on the head and face. The Gibson base has sides that are straighter than those of Fenton's which have a slight outward curve to its sides. Gibson's base also has a larger foot than the Fenton base. Most, if not all of these points can be seen in the photo to the left. |
| The eggs of the Gibson, its eyes, and the glass used to produce it, all have problems with consistency and misshapen forms to some of the hen's parts that Fenton would not consider first quality. The Gibson's eyes are not evenly set or as round as the Fenton's hens are, and the comb on the head of the Gibson hen is also not as evenly placed, with the back of the Gibson hen's head appearing to be covered with a random grouping of round "balls" which is very different from the detail of the 8" Fenton hen's head and comb. The glass of the Gibson hen also appears to be inferior to that of Fenton's, with varying thickness, poor mixing, rough spots and extreme very noticeable mould lines. A combination of production problems, the use of inferior materials for the production of the Gibson Overseas copy, and an apparent lack of quality control led to many inconsistencies resulting from Gibson Overseas manufacturing process. When problems such as those listed above are added to issues that often arise when moulds are copied and left uncorrected the resulting ware is clearly inferior to the original. |
These photos were taken with both hens at sitting at the same angle so the differences between the two could be more easily seen. The Green Gibson hen top can easily be seen sitting deeper in the nest than the Carnival Fenton hen does. This is due to the Gibson hen top copy being slightly smaller in size, or more "compressed" than the authentic Fenton hen top. The difference in size is especially noticeable over the wing areas and when looking at the overall width of the hen's body, throat, and head. Many other differences between the authentic Carnival Fenton hen on nest and the Green Gibson Overseas copy are clearly evident in these photos. |
| The Gibson Overseas imported copy of Fenton's 8" hen on nest is a fairly good copy, but has some "issues" which make it easy enough to identify as a copy, and not an authentic Fenton brand hen. These points are discussed and shown in the section below. |
The Gibson Overseas Copy of the Fenton 8" hen on the scalloped rimmed nest is considered a good copy. However, there are several visible differences between it and Fenton's 8" hen on (the scallop rim) nest, which can be used identify the Gibson copy from an authentic Fenton hen on nest. Small, but visible, details such as the Gibson hen top's slightly smaller overall size, the hen top's lack of a rim design, and the straighter shape of the sides of the Gibson base, its larger foot pedestal, it-all adds up...Overall, the Gibson Overseas Copy visibly differs from that of an authentic Fenton 8" hen on nest in ways that can be seen from photos. Most of these differences may be related to working with a copy of a copy, and the use of overseas substandard materials-for starters. More detailed information and photos of the Gibson Overseas copy are included in the section below. |
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| What visual clues can be used to help determine which, if any of these 3 red and white hens are Fenton? Top hen: 1) The tail of the hen on the top left is not smoothly curved, but instead has indentations, or a scalloped affect, along the rear edge of the tail, with less obvious longer curves along the front edge of the tail as well. All Fenton hen tops have smoothly curved tails with no indentations or scallop affects on either edge. Only Fenton's heavy 8" hen tops with big, round bulging eyes sit on basket woven bases and egg plates. 2) The egg placement, top of tail, wing design, and cowl are also unlike any of the Fenton hen top moulds. The neck does not have the same degree or angle of turn as either of Fenton's 2 sizes of Hen tops and the cowl is barely visible, if at all. The beak is not as pointed as the 5" Fenton hen top but too pointed for the 8" Fenton hen top which would be the only Fenton hen top used on a basket woven style base. 3) Note the details and styling of the "basket woven" base. Fenton's basket woven bases are different from the style of the basket-woven style of base shown in the top photo/ That base has a high profile to the relief design, creating a more 3-D, or raised pattern to the under and over design of the basket weave on the rim and on the sides. The exterior edges of Fenton's basket woven bases have less of a raised profile to the sides and a tighter twist to the rim design. 4) Proportion of the base to the hen top. The proportion of the top to the base appear more top heavy than those of Fenton's hen on nest moulds which are fairly well balanced. ____________________________________________________________ Middle Hen: 1) The hen on nest shown below right has an overall size and style that is closer in form to Fenton's 5" hen on nest #5186. Despite some similarities between hen tops, the base for this 5" hen on nest is very different from any used by Fenton. This base features a beaded rim with a criss-cross design along the sides clearly indicating this hen on nest is also not Fenton. The criss-cross design shown has been used by Westmoreland on several of their hen on nest bases, and Mosser, who bought many WMG moulds when they went out of business continue using them. This hen top is also different from Fenton's 5" hen top. The tip of the tail is more rounded, the degree of turn to the neck, and the overall shape of the head, beak, and cowl differ from Fenton's hen on nest dishes. ____________________________________________________________ Bottom Hen: Fenton hen on nest, ware #5186 MD, produced 1971-72. Milk glass hen on nest with hand painted face, comb and beak. Note the angle of the tail and the type of base used. |
| The L. G. Wright 7" Hen on Nest |
| The Westmoreland 5" Hen on Nest |
| Hen on Nest marriages are not as uncommon as one might think, since many hen tops do "appear" to fit on bases of different brands. Although occasionally useful for parting out, to replace a broken top or base, as a rule these "marriages" are not made in Heaven-or by Fenton. These mismatched hen and nests and can be difficult to resell unless the unfortunate buyer of such a creature can locate an appropriate top or bottom to divorce the "marriage." Trying to resell a mismatched top and base with honesty will more than likely not earn back funds spent to buy it. However, if a mismatched item such as this is purchased on eBay and paid for via PayPal the Buyer has some recourse and can take action to return the item for a refund-especially if the title and description did not reveal that the hen and nest were mismatched, and not of the same brand. In a case such as that the buyer must contact the seller immediately to explain the situation and request a refund. If the Seller is not cooperative about permitting the buyer to return the mismatched item for a refund the Buyer can begin proceedings with eBay and PayPal by registering a complaint against the Seller- since it is the Seller's responsibility to verify the authenticity of any item they elect to list by a brand name. |
| Hen on Nest "Marriage." This is a Westmoreland hen top on base from Fenton's 5" hen on nest. Note the more sloping angle of the tail of this hen top, when compared to the tail of Fenton's hen top shown to the right in milk glass. Other differences can be seen in the way this hen top's tail meets the bottom of the hen top. |
| Hen on Nest "Marriage." This is a Boyd hen top on base from Fenton's 5" hen on nest. Note the many differences of this hen top compared to the Fenton hen top shown to the left. Other differences can be seen in the way this hen top's tail meets the bottom of the hen top. |
Fenton 5" Hen on Nest, #5186 MI, Note the refined face, neck, flatter back, and how the tail of the Fenton 5" hen top rises nearly straight up on the rear edge, forming more pointed tip, before turning down to meet the back with a slight curved bow to the top edge of the tail. 6 eggs are grouped in 2 pairs, and 2 singles on the hen top. The sides of this distinctive base are formed by 10 arches, triple outlined, and rise from the foot of the base to the upper rim where they flatten slightly creating a lovely, decorative rim. Please see the section about Hen on Nest #5186 for details. |
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| What is a glass hen on nest "Marriage?" Why do some people want them? |
| Above: Gibson Overseas Hen Top, a Copy of Fenton 8" Hen on Nest #5182. Note how the trim around the hen top consists of diagonal lines that are all in the same direction-as opposed to the more intricate geometric design of Fenton's 8" hen top. Below: Red Carnival Fenton 8" Hen on Nest #5182 RN, from 1996. Below is the Hen Top from the Red Carnival Fenton Hen on Nest #5182 RN. Study the design along the hen top's rim and compare it to that of the green Gibson Overseas copy of Fenton's 8" Hen on Nest #5182. |
| Glass Hen on Nest enthusiasts consider a hen on nest "marriage" to be a mismatched hen on nest consisting of a marriage between a hen top of one brand, color or size and a base /nest of different brand, color or size. |
| These 2 photos are examples of marriages-both on the arched base of Fenton's 5" Hen on Nest #5186. At first glance they both appear to be Fenton, especially the red slag combo with the Fenton sticker clearly visible on the right. Look closely. These hen on nest dishes are both marriages. The photo on the left is a blue and white Westmoreland hen top on an arched base from a 5" Fenton #5186 hen on nest. This combo, or marriage was listed on eBay and marked Fenton, with no mention of it being a marriage, even after the seller was notified of such. Although similar to Fenton's 5" hen top, the Westmoreland hen top has a rounder tip to her tail, different egg sizes and placement, and other noticeable differences, including the overall design of her feathering and the rim of the hen top. The base she's been paired with is one of Fenton's from their 5" Milk Glass hen on nest # 5186 MI, which is shown to the right. When compared to the Fenton hen on nest in milk glass shown below the others these differences are easier to see. |
| Fenton 5" Hen on Nest #5186 |
| Below is a sketch of a Fenton hen on nest #5182 with the hen top lifted slightly from the base so the rim's design of the hen top is more easily seen. (please pardon the artwork! :) |
| Fenton 5" Hen on Nest, #5186 MD |
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| Copyright © Silver Stirrup Studio at Sweetwater Farms, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. All rights reserved. Web site designed, hosted and maintained by Silver Stirrup Studio at Sweetwater Farms. This page last updated on 02/02/2018 15:48:59 This site is not affiliated with Fenton Art Glass, eBay or any other organization. The opinions expressed here are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of the Fenton Art Glass Company, eBay or any individual, named or unnamed. The facts are stated to the best of our knowledge, based on information obtained from the Official site of the Fenton Art Glass Company, and other sites and printed media listed in this site's Bibliography. |
Over 250 forms of glass hen on nest dishes, produced by more than 100 companies are known to exist. Each has the potential of being incorrectly listed as Fenton online on Secondary Market Venues, and of course eBay. Learning to recognize Fenton's hen on nest forms, from online photos, based on knowledge of their distinguishing characteristics and features can be a key factor for identifying which hens are Fenton, and which are not. |
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Features & Distinguishing Characteristics of authentic Fenton hens exposes Gibson Overseas Copies of Fenton's large #5182 Hen on Nest & their Hen Egg Plate-both in Jade & unmarked. |
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| Please have patience as the site, its pages & many photos load. |
| Enjoying the Art of Online Collecting~ For Collectors, by Collectors. |
| www.FentonHenAndRooster.com |
| www.FentonAddict.com |
| The green Gibson Overseas copy of Fenton's 8" hen on nest #5182 is not marked with an embedded or any sort of permanent logo, and is only marked by a large sticker on the bottom of the Gibson copy is easier said than done. and is often seen incorrectly listed for sale online as a Fenton 8" hen on nest #5182 in Jade. Although very similar, one clue stands out which can be used tell the imported hen from the authentic 8" Fenton hen on nest is that the imported copy is not marked, and the rim around the hen top lacks the geometric design the 8" Fenton Hen top has. The Gibson hen also has many other visible differences from the Fenton hen on nest the mould used to make it was copied from. Although the Gibson Overseas 8" hen on nest has bulging eyes (not shaped as round as Fenton's), and a tail that's close in style to that of Fenton's 8" hen top, the Gibson Overseas copy of Fenton's 8" hen on nest has a several visible differences from the Fenton hen it was copied from. The Gibson Overseas hen on nest has bulging eyes but they are not as round, or evenly placed as those of Fenton's. There seems to be a "bumpier" almost misshapen appearance to the back of the Gibson's head, and the entire hen top is slightly smaller, appearing almost deflated when viewed beside an authentic Fenton hen on nest of the same size. The smaller size causes the Gibson hen top to sit deeper in the nest-which has issues of its own. The Gibson hen's tail is more pointed at its tip and lacks the rounded exterior curve of the Fenton 8" hen's tail, and many other differences that can be seen on close inspection, including those with the base's foot. Easier for many to see is that the Gibson Overseas hen top also lacks the unique geometric design found along the rim of Fenton's 8" hen top and instead has simple diagonal slashes around the rim's edge all go in the same direction, which is very different from the complex pattern Fenton used along the rim of their 8" hen top mould. |
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| tail with thicker edges to the rear of the tail. The Gibson copy's tail also appears slightly different than the Fenton hen on nest #5182 since the Fenton hen's tail is more rounded on its rear edge, with less of a point at the top. The Gibson copy has more of a pointed tip to its tail. |