Frances and Michael Higgins effectively rediscovered the ancient art of glass fusing—the merging of two glass sheets through intense heat—which had been almost abandoned in favor of glass blowing. The Higginses met at the Chicago Institute of Design and together founded the Higgins Studio in 1948, operating out of their small apartment. By the mid-1950s, Higgins glass was recognized and sold nationally, and in 1957 the couple entered into a partnership with Dearborn Glass Company. This tray was part of the couple’s “Higginsware” developed for the company.