Topic: Chance Glass paperweights - PHOTO POSTED

[David E]

Following my visit to Smethwick Heritage Centre, I came across a brochure advertising Chance Glass paperweights: see Chance Glass Link

They all feature clear lead crystal with facet-cut patterns. Apparently designed by Jay Lin of Stourbrige.

Does anyone have these 'weights or can supply information about them? If so I would really appreciate photographs of them.

[David E]

Attached is a scan from original Chance literature that shows all six paperweights!

Not sure of the sizes, but has anyone got any (or all) of these?

[KevinH]

I don't often add "negative" replies, but I can honestly say that I have never seen any weights like these. But they are fascinating.

Any info on the period they were made, David? Does the brochure say anything? Any ideas on how many may have been made?

[David E]

Hi Kev,

Judging from the brochure (a small A6 card) they would appear to have been made c.1975 by Chance. Following their closure in 1981 I don't know whether Fiesta Glass continued making them, but think not.

They were designed by Jay Lin of Stourbridge (gained from a different source), but there's nothing else on the brochure apart from a black and white photo on the reverse giving the Design Nos. (1 to 6).

But another thing to look out for in future is the box design;  a blue background with yellow star design. You can see what appears to be the box peeking out at the top-right corner.

I would also say that if you haven't seen them before, I'd guess not many were made

[Anne]

So far I've managed to track down two of the six Chance paperweights. See pics below.

[KevinH]

Excellent Anne. Are you able to provide sizes - diameter and height? I guess all the cut decoration is on the base - but is that true, given the appearance of some "loops" towards the outside in one of them?

[Lustrousstone]

The "loops" appear because the base has an indent but the cutting extends over the base rim. Diameter 2⁷/8 in. height 1 in. They are flat discs like the Dartington paperweights but with a shallow base well

[KevinH]

Thanks Christine, much appreciated.

[Anne]

Both mine are slightly different depths. 01 above is 23mm deep, 02 is 18mm deep, although cut from the same size blanks. Diameter of both is 72mm. (Measured in mm as it's easier for me to read them off the ruler than fiddling with fractions of an inch. )

[Frank]

18mm = 7/10" and 23mm = 9/10"

or more accurately courtesy http://www.webmath.com/dec2fract.html

18mm = 35433/50000"
23mm = 1811/2000"

  quiet here today