Welcome Chancers!

Orlak: 1929-33

The first domestic glassware produced by Chance was 'Orlak'; a range of heat-resistant ovenware and tableware designed by Harold Stabler, who was better known as part of Carter, Stabler & Adams partnership, that later became Poole Pottery.

Some ovenware is identifiable as being octagonal-shaped with recessed handles on the lid. The orange enamel decoration on the example shown (right) is not generally known.

Production started from 1929 to 1933 before Chance sold the rights to Jobling, who were at this stage manufacturing Pyrex and probably purchased Orlak purely to stifle the competition – whatever the circumstances, Orlak never reappeared.

Pressed Glass: 1934-53

Prior to Fiestware, Chance were major producers of quality pressed domestic glassware that including bowls, jugs and vases, and were developed with intriguing and exceptional optical characteristics.

Seven designs were created from 1934 and these continued until 1953 in a variety of shapes and styles, when the manufacturing process proved uneconomical and was ceased.

The predominant feature of Chance pressed glass from this era is it's all created from clear glass. Examples shown in colour are actually enamel sprayed onto clear glass.

Fiestaware: 1950-1981

With the advent of 2006, Chance's most popular creation, Fiestaware, has now reached 'Vintage' status throughout the entire range!

Fiestaware was Chance's most successful creation: mass-produced glassware for the domestic market that stood the test of time over a period of thirty years. This glassware was produced flat-rolled sheet glass with decorative screen- and transfer-prints applied prior to it being formed to shape, by reheating and slumping.

Their most popular creations were from the 'Fiestaware' range that eminent designers like Michael Harris and Margaret Casson helped create, with the most popular designs being Swirl (1955 — see 50th Anniversary page), Calypto (1959, Harris) and Lace. One well-known and highly collectable pattern, is Casson's 'Night Sky' (1957). Fiestaware was often finished with a gilt rim, but this is not always the case, and while the common dove-grey (often called white) screen transfer on clear glass is seen as the norm, in fact there are many other variations; for example green, black and gold transfers on clear glass and gold transfers on red glass can be found.

Additionally, Chance Brothers produced a wide range of 'Crestware' (items containing the names of towns, for example) and a wide range of 'Floral' ware (produced between c.1961-81).

The use of screen and transfer printing as the design medium had another advantage; using regular production lines for the glass blanks, Chance could create new designs quickly to cover special commemorative events like the Queen's Silver Wedding in 1977. The commercial side was also exploited successfully and 'Adware' became a popular way for salesman to leave their customers a permanent reminder: more often than not, this took the shape of a dish/ashtray.

Handkerchief Vases

An entire subset of the Fiestaware range; these vases represented a bewildering array of sizes, patterns and colours. If all these combinations were used up, you'd probably be looking at well over 500 different vases to collect! However, we estimate there are 'only' around 100 different varieties.

Phew, that's alright then...!

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All images on this site are copyright of the site, ChanceGlass.net. If you wish to use any image, please contact us first!

All data on this site is provisional until confirmed.

Notes:

• If you do use information from this site, it would be nice to be acknowledged!
• The absence of any pattern from this site does not indicate rarity — it could just mean another manufacturer made it...!
• Avoid using the term 'RARE'. Much of the less common items should be termed 'SCARCE'. Very little Chance glass is truly rare.

About

Chance Brothers operated exclusively from Smethwick, England, from 1824 until 1981 when flat glass production was absorbed into the parent company's plant (Pilkington) at St. Helens. Chance Brothers at one time were the leading lighthouse, scientific and optical glass producers in the world.