Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Pinky on September 18, 2006, 11:59:27 PM
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Dear All - wondering whether you can help - found a set of glass cocktail mats (harlequin colours) in a dull gold box with cellophane lid marked Harrods. I wondered whether these may have been made by Chance during the 50s. Would be very grateful for any help. Best Pinky. link below then just scroll down for images once you've hit the link.
http://whitefriarsorg.org/mf/index.php?showtopic=417&st=0&
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I've never seen anything like this before. Very unique and colorful.
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I would say probably not, however there are a few questions:
1. Is the colour printed on the back
2. Can you supply a photo of the box
3. What is the size of each dish
An angled photo might also help, to show the profile better.
From what I can see, the box looks like it has a random design. Of course, it's quite possible they were exclusively repackaged for Harrods, but it is hard to say.
My best guess is that they were made by Webb Crystal Glass Co. who were based in London during the 1950s and produced slumped ware.
Very nice set though :P
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........thank you - I shall go back and take new pictures - close-ups, angles, profiles etc and submit them this evening. Pinky
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......I've replaced the earlier pictures with others showing the mats at angles etc (hit the link and scroll down as before). I can't find colour numbers on any of the mats, Dencill - if there are any they might be under the green felt backing on the bases. The mats are 3 inch square, the box 3.25 inches square. The box is thick card covered in dull gold thin paper - the way you'd cover your books at school. There is no pattern on the paper - just the dull gold colour that matches the 'Harrods' lettering on the cellophane lid. The cellophane is a stiffened variety and has yellowed with age. It slots neatly over the top of the box. That's about as much as I can say for now. Best Pinky
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I see how they're made now: I initially got the impression they might have been slightly slumped.
I'm pretty sure they're not Chance, but they may be British made. Frank might have some ideas on other makes though.
Very nice looking pieces though! :P
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Hallo there - thank you very much indeed for your efforts and appreciation. I'd not got a clue and I'm very grateful. Can't use the mats because I don't drink and don't know how to mix cocktails::)) The best part about them for me is the different shaped glasses for each cocktail that are pictured on the faces. Best Pinky
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Probably made to order for Harrod's who would also of sourced the boxes themselves. Best approach is to get in touch with Harrod's themselves.
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.......thank you very much, Frank - I will take your advice and do this. Funnily enough these mats will be the third singular type of glass item I've found over the months needing further investigation. 2 champagne flutes with the 'Goodwood' racecourse emblem marked on the front of each and, unbelievably, Tiffany & co etched into the bases (it leads me to wonder - are these from the Richmond Enclosure, the equivalent of the Royal Enclosure at Ascot). So I've to ring Goodwood to ask about them. Then there's a Liberty 'Georgette' bath salts bottle I found in someones rubbish bin I walked pass a while ago - stunningly etched all over in foliage - perhaps by an automated method but beautiful nonetheless. So I've to contact Libertys too. If I find out anything I will notify. Best Pinky
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The new photos make these items even more spectacular. I love the richness of the purple/burgundy-colored one. They are so incredibly Deco. Where did you find them? I've never seen anything like them in the States.
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...hallo again....little mats, Wrightoutlook, found in a church bazaar, charity shop or car boot sale - three frequent haunts of a friend who'd subsequently stowed the items in a drawer and forgot about them for a long time. She was having a clear-out recently so I bought them from her. The camera has flattered them somewhat::)) - they're smaller than the pictures and show signs of their age. The one you describe as burgundy looks darker in this light - during sunnier days it can look quite a vivid red. Contacted Harrods today and was delighted to find they have an archive section. Unfortunately, manifests, bills, paperwork etc dating back to the 50s have, by and large, been discarded. There may yet exist old catalogues in which the mats may be pictured but the manufacturers not necessarily stated. I shall now wait and see and will keep you notified. Best Pinky
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Thanks for your follow-up Pinky. I hope a lot of information finds its way to you. Part of the thrill of the hunt is gathering details about the discovery.