Intaglio

Cut Ruby, Blue & White

The intaglio range were only produced for a short time and differ significantly from standard Fiestware. Intaglio handkerchief vases were known to be made around 1957/58, but other glassware had probably already been superceded by transfer-printed Fiestaware.

These have a 'flashed' red, white or blue outer layer of glass and the designs were created by cutting through the colour to reveal the clear glass underneath.

As can be seen on the photo (left), the cuts are reasonably deep for just 3mm glass and, being hand-cut, a great deal of control had to be exercised by the engraver.

The un-engraved blanks were also purchased by other designers for their purposes. One notable person was the late Geoffrey Baxter who used such blanks for his college course work in 1953. Baxter joined Whitefriars the following year and ended as Chief Designer.

Collecting tips

Chips can devalue the item substantially, although very slight marks can be less of a problem. But Intaglio is not like Fiestware, where chips can render certain items worthless, and it can maintain a fairly good price even with slight imperfections.

Of the three colours, the white and blue examples are the most sought after. Note the white example shown might not be Chance, although there are known examples of white intaglio handkerchief vases and dishes. See the Handkerchief Gallery.

Look for regular geometric patterns as seen here - this probably indicates Chance, but Czech and Bohemian glassworks have produced similar items in the past (most of which have their own worth anyway!)