Cristalerias Rigolleau
with sincere thanks to our Argentinean friends Jorge Perri and the late Jorge Duhalde
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The atmospheric photograph above (centre) shows a quiet corner in the historic quarter of Sam Telmo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. What connects this delightful, leafy avenue with Carnival Glass? Plenty.
Some Clues
Here are three superb Carnival Glass ashtrays made by the Argentinean manufacturer, Cristalerias Rigolleau - the fabulous Beetle ashtray in a rich amber, and two CR ashtrays, in marigold and an extremely rare example in green (so called because their shape forms the letters CR - standing for the company name).
Beetle Ashtray
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CR Ashtray, marigold
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CR Ashtray, green
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As the pictures show, details about the maker, Cristalerias Rigolleau, are moulded into the ashtrays, including their address - "Paseo Colon 800, Buenos Aires".
As you might have guessed, the leafy avenue in the opening photograph is Paseo Colon as it is today. Now take a good look at the photograph, below left, of the "Big Six" Burger Bar on the corner of Paseo Colon, and at the image carved in the stonework, just to the left of the " 6 " sign in the diamond. It is one of a series of magnificent stone murals that adorn the facade of the building that once housed the head offices of Cristalerias Rigolleau. Each panel is carved with a scene representing the stages in the production of glass, and are shown below, photos courtesy of Jorge Perri and the late Jorge Duhalde. The murals are breathtakingly beautiful and superbly executed. We hope you enjoy looking at them, and appreciating their significant historical importance. The activities that are portrayed in these murals are easily recognisable as glassmaking techniques that are still being used in modern times. Take a look at our article on The Art and Craft of Mouldmaking (making "Flowers of the World"), where Fenton's glass making processes are shown in detail. |
Cristalerias Rigolleau - carved in stone!
At the furnace
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In the glassmakers' chair
Glass blowing
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Glass pressing
Checking and Sorting
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