Duralex Glasses - Continued

Duralex Picardie drinking glass This is a continuation of a discussion on Duralex Picardie Glasses begun on July 28th, 2005 (95 previous responses). Feel free to add further responses but please don't use this page to try to sell your own Duralex items. See also, in Design Classics, the Duralex Picardie Glass.

« read the previous discussion.

Posted Thursday, July 26th, 2007 at 14:32. Comments welcome.

29 responses to “Duralex Glasses - Continued”

  1. Posted by Patrick August 8th, 2007 at 13:00

    Duralex International France now has a website »

  2. Posted by John Robinson August 20th, 2007 at 23:34

    Thank you so much Patrick for providing this wonderful background on Duralex picardie. I just recently became interested in restocking my cupboard with Duralex picardie and realized it was next to impossible to find new glasses in USA.

    Just a few days ago I had the unique experience of one of my old glasses "exploding" while being put away. I was thrilled to have the experience! Though, once is enough.

    Thanks for the website resource for the Duralex company in France. I hope to study it further. I have several questions maybe you or someone out there can answer for me:

    1) I notice some glasses have the Duralex stamp with a ring, mold # and Made in France on bottom. Others just have Duralex and Made in France stamped into the glass bottom. Are ones a newer version than the other? Is one considered more "vintage" or "classic" than the other?

    2) What is Duralex Lutece? I came across this term in my research and wonder if this is just another style of Duralex (not a picardie), but I haven't been able to see what they look like.

    3) I read the Duralex company line on their website saying they are up an running with one factory now, but rumors I still hear are they are bankrupt and will not be making the picardie anymore. What's your latest information? Is the picardie still being made?

    Thanks for your interest and fun in this adventure…

    John

  3. Posted by Patrick August 21st, 2007 at 09:56

    Duralex logo John, the classic ringed Duralex logo (inset) is found on the bottom of most of their glasses, with the exception of a few of the Picardie range. Why those few are different, I don't know, but it doesn't signify anything. The ones that have DURALEX and MADE IN FRANCE round the edge of the bottom are just as "vintage" or "classic" as those with the ringed logo in the centre. The glasses without the logo are the 22cl, 31cl, and 36cl Picardie. Both styles of bottom show the mould number (1-48).

    I've never come across Duralex Lutece, but I do know that the Duralex company is still in business manufacturing tempered glassware at La Chapelle Saint-Mesmin, where they have invested in a new furnace this year. Their other factory at Rive-de-Gier was apparently closed down in 2006. Those furnaces were powered by electricity, which was not economic compared to the gas-fired furnaces at La Chapelle.

    So Duralex is not bankrupt and the Picardie glass is still being made in France, despite any rumours to the contrary.

  4. Posted by Brad September 25th, 2007 at 22:17

    I have some glasses I am not using if anyone is interested. I was also recently given a set of mixing bowls of several sizes which nestled within one another. I was using the large bowl and it exploded out of nowhere, ruining about a quart of pesto. No microwave, heat or anything else. Just a boom, and glass and pesto everywhere.

  5. Posted by Brad September 25th, 2007 at 22:22

    One more thing. Contrary to statements here, the result of the explosion was not tiny "windshield" glass, but long shard. I think I'll stick with pyrex. Less elegant and chi chi perhaps, but seemingly safer and more practical.

  6. Posted by Patrick September 25th, 2007 at 23:00

    I wouldn't be too sure about that. Maybe search Google, Yahoo! or MSN/Live for Pyrex explosion. The fact is, toughened glass is way tougher, and if it does break, it's safer, even with a few shards. I can well imagine the large bowl not fragmenting completely.

  7. Posted by John Robinson October 4th, 2007 at 14:17

    I came here because I recently read on an eBay auction discription that the Duralex factory had a fire and was closed. Is this recent news or misinformation?

    Brad, I'd be interested in your glasses. I'm looking for the smaller Duralex picardie glasses 25cl (7.5oz.) and smaller with the circle "Duralex made in France" logo on the bottom - Used in good condition or better.

  8. Posted by Patrick October 4th, 2007 at 15:12

    One of the Duralex factories (at Rive-de-Gier) was apparently closed during the autumn of 2006. Not, as far as I know, because of a fire but related to other issues. The other Duralex factory at La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin is still manufacturing glassware. Those eBay sellers may believe what they're writing, and of course it helps to sell the items, but it's not true.

  9. Posted by Hakim November 11th, 2007 at 23:17

    I obtained my first Duralex glasses in Afghanistan in the early 1970s. They use them there as "tea glasses." I got hooked on the Duralex tea glasses and have used them every day since about 1972.

    For many years got them in the states at an Indian grocery store in Queens, NY. I usually kept about a dozen in my cabinet for daily use. The Indian grocery has not carried the Duralex glasses for several years now.

    My stock has now reduced to about six, due to breakage and loss. The specific glasses I have are marked with the "Duralex Made in France" logo on the bottom, and show mould number 20. They hold about 8.5 ounces.

    I went to the new Duralex web site referenced above and looked through the catalog. Mine do not appear to be from the "Picardie" line, at least the sizes and capacity do not match up.

    Would anyone know: Are the ones I have and marked as mould "20" from the Provence line of Duralex? If not can anyone provide me with the current order or model number for those marked with mould 20? Many thanks.

    Hakim Chishti
    Carlsbad, California
    USA

  10. Posted by Patrick November 12th, 2007 at 09:39

    Duralex Provence Hakim, the mould number doesn't identify any particular model of Duralex glass. They all have mould numbers from 1 to 48. Both the Picardie and Provence models have an (approx) 8.5oz size and are illustrated on the Duralex website, although to view them requires clicking through lots of 'pages' in the catalogue. This is the Provence glass.

  11. Posted by Geogina November 20th, 2007 at 20:13

    Duralex purchashed as mentioned by sanjeev from Gifts by VishalDeep - 378 Romford Road, ForestGate London e7 - they are very cheap!

  12. Posted by Patrick November 20th, 2007 at 22:15

    They sell the 22cl (7.5oz) Picardie glass at £2.25 for four, then they add £7.70 for shipping within the UK by Standard Parcels, making a total price of £9.95. So although they're quite cheap if you walk in and buy, they're not so cheap online.

    For four of those glasses, Royal Mail would actually charge £3.85 for delivery by Standard Parcels - exactly half £7.70. Second Class Post would cost £2.30.

  13. Posted by George November 25th, 2007 at 20:11

    i actually purchased items from thier website, i havent purchased the duralex glasses, but a few other items and thier shipping rates are misleading, as the shipping rates that appear are only estimates, and not the actual cost. It cost me £5.40 for shipping for a roti maker, which i think is reasonable.

  14. Posted by Patrick November 26th, 2007 at 11:49

    As stated above, please don't use this page to sell Duralex items.

  15. Posted by Len DeMarco January 6th, 2008 at 17:37

    For the last year I have been using a set of glasses marked… Palaks… Turkey… 35… (pasabache??) They are 8.5 Oz.

    I am interested in buying more. The search has been unsuccessful except for this site. Can some one help me to locate a place to buy them or confirm that Durelex is the same quality and shape as Palaks.

    Any information will be appreaciated.

    Thank you, Len

  16. Posted by Patrick January 7th, 2008 at 23:10

    Palaks glass Len, if you can take a digital photo of your Palaks glass, I'll have a look. Contact me via my contact page. Later added for info: Len's photo of a Palaks glass, which he sent to me by email. They have a different shape to the Duralex Picardie, are 3 5/8" high, 3 1/2" wide, filled to the top hold 10.5oz, have Pasabache and PALAKS marked in the bottom with the mould number and 'TURKEY'.

  17. Posted by barbara January 23rd, 2008 at 18:01

    I have 6 PALAKS Pasabache Turkey glasses all have different numbers on them, anyone interested?

  18. Posted by Patrick January 23rd, 2008 at 18:38

    Barbara, Len DeMarco might be. I'll get in touch with him.

  19. Posted by Len DeMarco January 24th, 2008 at 02:01

    Patrick,

    Thank you for your response. I would appreciate more information from Barbara about her Palaks glasses (size, condition, cost, shipping).

    I would also like to get a quote for Duralex 10 1/2 oz. Le Tom lists quantities of 1 to 5 sets. The price for the glasses themselves seems quite reasonable.

    The shipping changes the whole price structure. Are there any savings on shipping to the U.S. when buying 1, 2, 3 or 4 sets?

    Thank You.

    Len

  20. Posted by GERALDINE February 2nd, 2008 at 21:47

    I have two PALAKS Pasabache Turkey glasses, #17. Where can I find more? VIRGINIA USA

  21. Posted by toastnhoney February 19th, 2008 at 23:54

    I have a little PALAKS glass with the number 29, (no Turkey) Are they old snuff glasses? I'd like to know if they are lead glass. Does anyone know? It holds about 9 oz.

  22. Posted by Leah March 18th, 2008 at 22:29

    I had a set of 8 Duralex small prep bowls about 1 1/2 inches wide. One got broken over the holidays and I have not been able to find a source to replace it. Can anyone help?

  23. Posted by trish April 24th, 2008 at 18:48

    Just purchased some original Duralex Picardie glasses, exactly like my old Williams Sonoma ones at World Market. They are on line as well, though I got my supply at one of their stores. They say 'Duralex Made in France' on the bottom and I am thrilled… have been looking for ages.

  24. Posted by Patrick April 28th, 2008 at 21:41

    Trish, a timely purchase. According to France Info, the company has gone into some sort of liquidation, imposed by a commercial court. A buyer is being sought.

  25. Posted by Jan May 13th, 2008 at 15:05

    I bought some Palaks 32 glasses here in Holland.

    I was wondering… is this the same type of glass as Duralex, I mean can I use boiled water direct into the glass, or is the temperture to high?

  26. Posted by Patrick May 13th, 2008 at 22:09

    If they're tempered glass, like Duralex, then boiled water should be okay (at least Duralex says so), but it would be prudent to put a little cold water in the glass before pouring in the boiled water. But I don't know if Palaks glasses are tempered. If you try it with one, you'll know for the others.

  27. Posted by Jan May 14th, 2008 at 06:04

    Thanx Patrick, I tried with pouring boiled water directly into the glass… No problem!

    Tempered glass:
    http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-tempered-glass.htm

  28. Posted by Emily Doyle May 24th, 2008 at 02:59

    Thank you for all the valuable information about Duralex, a brand of glass that I just discovered today. While on a mission of sorts to discover more information about a local ancient Native American tribe, I found out very little except that more modern American societies make stuff that doesn't break down in their many informal landfills. Tiny Duralex bowls are just one of those things that can survive many years of seasons of exposure to the elements. I have no idea how old this small nesting bowl might be, but today was definetely a learning experience for this girl. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

    And for Leah, I might be able to help you out… My "find" sounds like what you are looking for. Same size, marked; Made in Duralex, 32 (degree), France. If that is it, write me at:
    esuhr2002@yahoo.com

  29. Posted by Remi July 21st, 2008 at 18:39

    Hello,
    Duralex is still alive

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