Robert Hansen Degenhart Carnival Glass TOOTHPICK Holder, Michigan/Beaded Oval

Description

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Lovely Michigan pattern (aka Beaded Oval) blue carnival glass toothpick holder.  This was a Degenhart blank that was refired and iridized by Robert Hansen (*see below) in the 1960's - 70's.  Beautiful carnival coloring on blue cobalt glass.  Unsigned.  Stands 2 5/8" tall with 2" diameter.
Of note is its irregular top rim.  Half has the regular scalloped edge and the other half is about 1/4" shorter with an irregular scallop.  This was probably not intentional (possibly due to reheating to near melting temps) but certainly makes it one of a kind.
Excellent vintage preowned condition.  No chips or cracks.
*ARTIST INFO:
There are three Hansen brothers; Ronald, Robert and Richard; who all worked with glass. Ronald lived in Mackinaw City, Michigan. Robert (1922 - 2006) lived in Bridgeport,
Michigan and San Diego CA. Robert and Ronald were the two brothers involved with iridizing glass.
Ronald graduated from college with a major in chemistry. Ronald's knowledge of chemistry is what gave him most of the ide
as and formulas for the great iridescence which he achieved. Ronald and his wife Dorothy started to experiment with iridescence in 1950. Ronald taught Robert how to iridize glass.
In 1960, Ronald started iridizing glass to sell, which was probably the true beginning of new carnival glass. Robert started about the same time. The two brothers never really worked together. Ronald's shop was in Mackinaw City, Michigan. Robert's shop was in Bridgeport, Michigan.
The Hansens did iridize some old glass. There are other pieces of glass iridized by the Hansens made from old glass, but most of the Hansen Carnival was new glass. Most of the Hansen glass does have a pontil mark, but there will be a few that don't. Not all Hansen carnival glass is signed. Signatures were etched into the base of a piece. Robert signed his pieces "Robert Hansen" or "RGH". Ronald signed his pieces "Ron Hansen" or "Ronald E.Hansen".
The Hansens bought the glass which they iridized from companies such as Deganhart, Fenton, Guernsey, Imperial, L.G. Wright, Mosser, Smith, St. Clair, Viking and Westmoreland. To iridize existing glass pieces, the glass was heated almost to its melting point before being sprayed with the chemical salts. Many items completely melted before they could be finished, thus there was a certain amount of loss.
Reported health problems of both Ronald and Robert were said to have been partly due to breathing in of the materials that they sprayed on the glass, even though the fumes were vented outside. It has been said that both brothers moved to California for cleaner air.
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