Topic: Another Chance Frigger? Galleon bookends in cast ruby glass

[David E]

Came across this pair of bookends today at the home of a lady whose father worked at Chance until the mid-1950s.

They are huge and appear to be cast in ruby glass. But has anyone ever seen the like before? The moulding design is to quite a high standard, although the edges are rough ground and not highly finished at all. Strange that someone went to the trouble to create the mould (probably in impressed sand?) for a non-production item, so I just wanted to make sure there was not another company that could have made them.

Also attached is another Chance swan frigger in frosted glass - sand-blasted, I assume.

[Frank]

Gorgeous Bookends! It reminds me of some 3D plaster wall plaques my grannie had. Perhaps an apprentice, or the trainer, used such an original to form the mould, that would certainly justify the use of the resources needed to make them.

[David E]

That's a reasonable suggestion. Most apprentices went to the local college, but there must have been a practical approach to teach the various glass-making methods.

[Sue C]

They also remind me of those huge copper or brass chargers
http://www.vandenbosch.co.uk/Enamel/EnamelHtml/em5.htm

[Patrick]

Hi David,
Any update on the Christmas tree decorations ??
 Patrick.

[David E]

Sue, I'm wondering if something like the copper charger was used as the basis for the moulding? They could have used something similar to make the impression.

Patrick: no luck. I have put the word out to a few people and hopefully someone will still have one. Fragile things, I imagine, so perhaps not many survived over the years