I love this piece. The color is gorgeous, a deep, rich amber. The etch is one of my favorites, Cambridge etch number 704, also called Windows Border. The piece is unusual, yet perfect for use today when we like to combine cheese and crackers or dip and veggies.
Cambridge Glass Windows Border Etched Amber Cheese and Cracker Set
The etch has neat scrolls that are in pairs, then the rim has a design of small clear rectangles surrounded by an etched border. It’s the little rectangles that are the “windows” in the Windows Border name. I loved this etch the first time I saw it in a reference book, then bought a few pieces in green before stumbling across this wonderful amber at an estate sale. I could not resist! It’s offered for sale in my store but I’ve been tempted a few times to keep it for us.
Amber glass ranges in color from the yellowish with a hint of brown that Federal Glass used for Madrid, to a warmer honey gold tone to this rich shade with a russet tint. Both Fostoria and Cambridge made amber glass that has this light touch of red. I love this color family. It works well with neutral tones, as accents with blues or greens, and of course, pops with browns and creams.
The homely chip ‘n dip set has evolved from this classic cheese and cracker set of the elegant era, to sets that consisted of one large bowl with a smaller bowl for dip perched in a wire rack on the rim, to the plastic serve ware you see in the grocery store deli. This pedestal comport on the inset plate is by far the classiest style.
You can certainly use this set to hold a cheese ball or cheese dip with crackers, or modernize with dips and veggies, crackers or pretzels. That little comport holds more than it looks.
Cambridge made this same set both etched and plain. I have not seen it in other colors but they used the colors of the era – pink, green, gold, blue – beside this luscious amber. If you entertain, or enjoy having snacks out for friends and family, consider upgrading your deli plastic trays to this little touch of pure elegance, the Cambridge Glass cheese and cracker set!