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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Tigerchips on April 27, 2007, 09:32:02 PM

Title: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
Post by: Tigerchips on April 27, 2007, 09:32:02 PM
Here's a Spiderweb Celery vase with a metal lid and a metal base. The metal base has a Celtic Quality Plate mark.

Please excuse dark photo's.
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49223.jpg
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49224.jpg
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49220.jpg
Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
Post by: Lustrousstone on April 28, 2007, 09:00:09 AM
Oh, I know someone who'll be demanding pictures.  ;D It's a Chance pickle jar  ;D Good find. Is it marked celery?
Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
Post by: David E on April 28, 2007, 10:42:17 AM
Can't think who will be needing photos... but the 'Celery' marking, if it exists, should be acid-etched on the rim.

This is yet another derivative of the Celery Vase/Pickle Jar/Biscuit Barrel - basically the same glass, adapted to suit the purpose. I can confirm the metalware was made by E & J Leek Ltd, which operated from Birmingham, and being quite close to the Chance concern was an obvious choice.

Sadly, if there is a flaw in the metalware, then it is out of guarantee - it only lasted for five years! :D
Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
Post by: Tigerchips on April 28, 2007, 07:41:33 PM
Thank's, there's no 'celery' mark on the rim.  8)

Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
Post by: Bernard C on April 28, 2007, 08:58:14 PM
More on Leek from nearly three years ago:

... examples of interesting lamps that today's electrician would find something of a challenge.

My own favourite is the Andromeda or Rocket lamp.   This was a 1950s or '60s novelty, made by (if I remember correctly) C J Leek (C & J Leek?), Alma Works, Alma Street, Aston, Birmingham, possibly in their "Celtic" range (it may have been sold as the Celtic lamp).   It was a chrome ball containing the bulb, on a chrome base with a little white plastic push on/off switch.   Into the top of the lamp fitted either the bayonet fitting version of the Bagley Andromeda figurine, or a stylised space rocket (glassworks not known) with a similar fitting.   Not an earth wire in sight!

There would have been little point in supplying lamps with an earth connection in pre-seventies Britain, as most homes were fitted with a 15 amp earthed socket for an electric fire on the skirting somewhere near the fireplace, and sometimes, but not always, one or two 5 amp two-pin sockets for lamps or radios elsewhere in the room.   In 1969 I recall a very cheap bedsit in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire where I powered a radio, record player and desk lamp from adaptors plugged in between the central ceiling light socket and the bulb, with the cables hanging down like festoons.   Also the 15 amp socket was on a coin-in-the-slot meter, whereas the lighting circuit was free - a not unimportant consideration for a penniless ex-student starting his first proper job.   I have happy memories of most of my past, but that short time in Mansfield was dreadful.   I was perpetually cold, damp, hungry and lonely.   I've never been back - I expect it is quite a pleasant place today.

Any further information on the Birmingham metalbashers would be welcomed.   I know I have the address right - it is unforgettable, but I am rather hazy about the rest. ...

David — thanks for the correct name for the company — I got it wrong above.

The rocket colours seem to match those of post-war Sowerby more closely more than any other British glass house, but it could have been by Bagley or Chance.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
Post by: Bernard C on April 29, 2007, 11:40:29 AM
For completeness, my two other favourite addresses:

  • Garage — Buckingham Ford, Ford Street, Buckingham
  • Ladies' fashions — One Bird's Treat, 1 Bird Street, Lichfield

  • Bernard C.  8)
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Tigerchips on April 29, 2007, 08:29:01 PM
    I bought this today.

    It has red or pink bands but not frosted ones.

    There's a faint gold gilt band above the red/pink bands.

    The handle cube thing may not be original as it's not been put on straight. The cube is a piece of plastic with a fake rose inside it.

    It's just over 2 and a half inches high without the lid and base. 4.75 inches diameter.

    There are no marks on the metal. It appears to have more ribs than the sugar bowl or preserve pot.  :-\

    http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49243_small.jpg
    http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49246_small.jpg
    http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49244_small.jpg

    Have you seen one before?  ???
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: David E on April 29, 2007, 09:25:59 PM
    Nope that's another unusual one! But judging from the size and shape, it would appear to be a honeypot base which was normally supplied with the standard glass lid.

    The red appears far deeper than the usual dusky pink, but are the bands like the Matthey Crinkles textured finish?

    Where is this Spiderweb factory you keep visiting, TC? :D
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Tigerchips on April 29, 2007, 11:45:13 PM
    Top secret location.

    The bands aren't crinkley.  :o
    http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49249.jpg
    http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49250.jpg

    As you can see from the picture, there are two faint gold bands and not one (whoops).

    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: David E on April 30, 2007, 07:26:59 AM
    That looks to me that it's been crudely handpainted onto a clear Spiderweb base (Chance always sprayed) and it's possible the enamel hasn't been fired, so might easily come off. I note the brushing has partially overlapped one of the bands.

    Very strange, but I strongly suspect this was applied after being sold by Chance, and perhaps it was 'decorated' by the firm adding the metal fitments, or even by a householder. Can't answer about the gilt bands, as this required a special paint (I can't really make them out), but these were invariably hand applied at Chance.

    The honeypot base (normally found with a lid) is one of the scarcer pieces, although not rare by any means.

    Would like a hi-res. photo, if at all possible, Tony ;)
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Tigerchips on April 30, 2007, 09:35:55 AM
    I tried scraping it with my finger nail but it didn't come of. Then I tried scraping it with a metal knife (drastic measure) and it still didn't come off.

    Did you receive the first set of photo's?
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: David E on April 30, 2007, 10:14:10 AM
    Blowtorch and file?  ;D

    It still might not have been fired on and I'm still sure it wasn't applied by Chance. The colour is also different to the four commonly used by them: blue, green, yellow* and pink.

    * Looks more like a beige

    I got the first set of photos and these are fine. Already shoe-horned into the book 8)
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Lustrousstone on April 30, 2007, 10:32:31 AM
    The knob is often found on 1950s/60s metalware with pink or red roses. Could the bowl be one of those leftover stock items David?
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: David E on April 30, 2007, 02:41:13 PM
    I think that could be the case: Christine is referring to the fact that when pressed glass production ceased in 1953, there was reportedly six months stock remaining to fulfill any orders that might crop up.

    I have speculated that perhaps quantities of this stock was sold off to other manufacturers who then proceeded to customise it in various ways. This could, of course, include all those items with strange lids and peculiar customisation, and some Britannia glassware may also fall under this idea as well.
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Anne on May 10, 2007, 11:42:44 PM
    Here's another oddity in the same vein, David... found today as a set of one serving dish and five smaller fruit dishes. The colour is definitely tangerine (not pink or yellow or even orange), and the floral pics are transfers as seen on jug and tumbler sets etc.  I've taken a variety of pictures quickly so you can see the larger dish and one of the smaller ones. The rims are thickly gilt as well, and the bottom is partly crinkled.

    http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/thumbnails.php?album=437
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Lustrousstone on May 11, 2007, 06:28:16 AM
    They are more likely to have Chance-applied decoration - crinkles and transfers required firing - enamel spraying didn't. Not sure about the 'taste' factor. I think I prefer my blue stars
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Anne on May 11, 2007, 01:56:22 PM
    They are a bit loud, aren't they?!  ;D 
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Tigerchips on June 09, 2007, 05:52:04 PM
    This looks like a converted desert bowl?
    http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49657.jpg
    http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_49658.jpg
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Anne on June 09, 2007, 05:58:00 PM
    Gosh, TC you keep finding them don't you?  ;D Looks like it to me. :)
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Tigerchips on June 09, 2007, 06:13:19 PM
    I found this one in a second hand shop. It doesn't surprise me to find it there as that shop is full of weird stuff. Sometimes I find things in there and I don't even know which way it stands up or what it was used for.

    Shame it's got a hole in the middle, otherwise I would've used it for my Rice Krispies. It would be like eating a bowl of Oatabix though. :D

    Someone has stuck some horrible glue on the base.  ::)
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Lustrousstone on June 09, 2007, 07:13:17 PM
    All looks genuine to me, if rather naff. The frosted Spiderweb is hard to find. ;D Is the base stuck on with sort of polyfilla stuff? If so that's genuine
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Tigerchips on June 10, 2007, 09:30:17 AM
    No, it's stuck on with glue that has gone yellow. It's all over the place.

    Quote
    The frosted Spiderweb is hard to find.

     ;D
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Tigerchips on June 10, 2007, 09:37:33 AM
    What was it used for?  :-\
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Lustrousstone on June 10, 2007, 12:06:07 PM
    Sweets or nuts I would guess  ???
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Heidimin on June 10, 2007, 06:41:46 PM
    Now here's a thing...

    Have just been reading a Council of Industrial Design publication from 1947 (Good Design Good Business by John Gloag) and there's a picture of three Spiderweb bowls.

    Only, the caption describes them as "salad dishes in Maxine glass made by Chance Brothers of Smethwick".

    So I guess Max was always destined to be a Chancer...  ;)
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Simba on April 21, 2018, 10:29:30 PM
    I have this family piece a wedding gift to my parents in 1951 which I believe is by Chance ...this pickle jar was always known in our house as the 'gardening jar' my father saved money in it every week until  early spring came and the Dobbie's seed catalogue would arrive and the great debate began on what veg we would plant that year.
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: keith on April 21, 2018, 11:09:27 PM
    Certainly Chance, comes in many colours and designs, here's a couple of mine.... ;D ;D
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: Simba on April 22, 2018, 09:22:17 AM
    Many thanks for confirmation Keith.
    Title: Re: Chance Glass Spiderweb celery vase
    Post by: keith on April 22, 2018, 06:34:35 PM
    You are welcome  ;D ;D