a PDF - Cortex Design

Chance
Expressions
The History of Domestic Glassware
from Chance Brothers
Incorporating a Complete
Glassware Reference Guide
by David P. Encill
For collectors there is very little to
aid identification and dating of the
domestic glassware produced by
Chance Brothers.
Misleading comments and statements simply
propagate rumours – all these are addressed
in Chance Expressions.
The book is packed with photographs of all
the known designs and patterns produced.
Contemporary advertisements complement
the various entries.
Included are a short history of the company, a
chapter devoted to 1950s design philosophy
and a foreword by the widely respected
author and researcher Charles Hajdamach.
History
Pressed Glass
Lucas Chance, the founder of the Chance
From 1929, Chance started producing pressed
dynasty, was originally a partner in the Nailsea
glassware for the domestic market. Initially,
glassworks. The Chance Brothers dynasty
this was heat-resistant oven to tableware, but
started in 1824.
the pattern the company was most associated
with is Spiderweb, designed by Robert
Lighthouses
Goodden in 1934, which drew heavily on the
influence of lighthouse optics.
From 1849, Chance started the production
of optical glass, which proved an excellent
Above: an Orlak shell dish
Fiestaware
grounding, inspired by James Timmins
Chance, for when lighthouse production
Below: a Spiderweb celery vase
This range is the most endearing. From
started in 1851.
1951, Chance produced an entire range of
slumped glass tableware, decorated with
Below: Greencape Lighthouse lens in Australia
some of the most iconic patterns: Swirl,
Photo © Catherine Bannister
Night Sky and Calypto, as well as realistic
floral patterns like Anemone.
Above: the famous seven-storey building.
A sheet of glass was drawn to the full
height of the building!
In the 1970s, new modern patterns arose,
such as the famous Psychedelic and the popart Canterbury – both memorable patterns
and today highly collectable.
Glass and Glazing
During 1851, Chance supplied all the glass to
glaze the Crystal Palace: an amazing total of
over 900,000 sq.ft of glass.
Fiesta Glass Ltd
Other famous buildings glazed with Chance
Even after Chance closed in 1981, new patterns
glass included The White House, the Houses
of Parliament and the Westminster Clock
Tower (Big Ben).
Left: a 1966 advertisement for the Mermaid
Rose and Anemone patterns
Right: the fabulous Bandel intaglio vase
Photo © Smethwick Heritage Centre
and ranges were still being introduced, and earlier
patterns, like Swirl and Calypto, continued to be
produced into the 1990s.
Chance
Expressions
Want To Know More?
If you are fascinated by the
small snippets provided inside
this leaflet, then you will not
be disappointed by the sheer
depth of information packed into
Chance Expressions.
And there is even more: Chance
Expressions is just the first of two
volumes. The second volume,
Chance Reflections, is due out in
2008. This will offer a detailed and
concise history of the company, and
cover the amazing technologies that
were involved. Be prepared for even
more surprising revelations.
Published by Cortex Design
www.cortex-design.co.uk
Printed by Birbeck Colour Print
www.birbeckonline.co.uk
What is this?
Buy the book!
Contents
Foreword by Charles Hajdamach
1. A Short History of Chance Brothers
2. Pressed Glass, 1929–1953
3. Fiestaware Cross-Reference
4. Fiestaware Patterns, 1951–81
5. Fiestaware: Related Topics
6. Handkerchief Vases, 1956–81
7. 1950s Design Philosophy
Mechanical Data
Full-colour printing
Perfect bound
400-gsm softback cover
ISBN-13: 978-0-9549196-1-0
Size: A4 (210 x 297mm)
Pages: 140pp
Price: £17.99 (€27, $35 US)
Printed and published in the UK
Contact Details
To purchase: [email protected]
+44 (0)121-693 6669
Trade: [email protected]
Press or publicity: Anne Nichols
[email protected]
+44 (0)1524 781306