Vintage Ruby Red Avon 1876 Cape Cod Cup and Saucer

Original Or Reproduction

Vintage original

Object Type

Cup and Saucer

Type Of Glass

Cranberry

This piece is pristine with no chips or cracks. About Avon 1876 Cape Cod Glass The Avon 1876 Cape Cod Glass Collection is in high demand from collectors. Also sometimes referred to as cranberry glass,, Avon Cape Cod Glass is no longer sold new, so finding some pieces can be difficult. This is one of the most requested and prized Avon collections today. The Avon 1876 Cape Cod Glass Collection drew its inspiration from the Roman Rosette classical pattern. The number “1876” comes from the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence being signed, and the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial. The name “Cape Cod” for the collection is because many of the designs originated from the Boston & Sandwich Glass Works. This company started in 1825 at Cape Cod. The book "Avon's 1876 Cape Cod Collection Glass Dinnerware" by Debbie and Randy Coe states that the Wheaton Glass Company in Millville, New Jersey made the glass. Avon's 1876 glass dinnerware line was introduced in 1975 and the pattern was discontinued in 1993. About Cranberry Glass The most famous period of cranberry glass production was in 19th century Britain during the Victorian Era. Legend holds that cranberry glass was first discovered when a noble tossed a gold coin into a mixture of molten glass. Cranberry glass or 'Gold Ruby' glass is a red glass made by adding gold salts or colloidal gold to molten glass. Tin, in the form of stannous chloride, is sometimes added in tiny amounts as a reducing agent. The glass is used primarily in expensive decorations. Cranberry glass is made in craft production rather than in large quantities, due to the high cost of the gold. The gold chloride is made by dissolving gold in a solution of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid (aqua regia). The glass is typically hand blown or molded. The finished, hardened glass is a type of colloid, a solid phase (gold) dispersed inside another solid phase (glass).