Duplicate Posting on Art Glass Collectors Group on Facebook (with larger photos)
During my research into the Chance Brothers' archives, I came across the mention of "Verlys" and "Hanots" pressed glassware - reminiscent of Lalique and Sabino in quality. With a bit more digging I learnt that these were designs by the French company, Société Anonyme Holophane, which was originally founded to create prismatic light shades.
Believing that any agreement with Holophane never took place, I then found mention of Chance negotiating for its release from the contract and that ‘[we] continue to make and sell pending notification from them [Holophane] of their having concluded an agreement with another British manufacturer.'
So, surprise, surprise, it appears that for a very short while Chance did produce this glassware in 1933 and 1934.
Most of the Verlys glass is sold as 'French', but in actual fact, those NOT signed 'France' were made under license - much can be found like this in the US. I was then fortunate to purchase these two bowls rather cheaply (in the UK) that simply have the word "Verlys" embossed on the inside, which suggests they were made outside France. Could these be Chance-made?
If anyone does have information on who took over the manufacture of this glassware in the UK, then I'd be interested to learn who. I'm sure it wasn't Davidson, even with its links to Holophane.
I'm not sure about the "Hanots" range, but it appears to comprise mainly of lamp shades and fittings.