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Splendid Steuben
Title: Calcite Cased with Gold Aurene Basket
ca. 1922-27
Artist: Steuben Glass Works
Medium: Glass
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Image Courtesy: Chrysler Museum of Art,
Norfolk VA |
When you have an impressive collection, then loaning some of
the works to other museums and art galleries benefits both the donor and the
recipient. The Chrysler Museum of Art possesses one of the finest
collections of Glass, including Tiffany, Chihuly and Steuben.
Generously, the Chrysler Museum has loaned 30 pieces from its
extensive Steuben Glass collection to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in
Alabama. The exhibit Steuben: Functional Fashion runs through March 5, 2006. |
| Throughout the exhibit, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts plan
gallery talks, guest lectures and glass studio classes to educate about
Steuben Glass. |
Title: Compote ca. 1925-30
Artist: Steuben Glass Works
Medium: Blown Glass
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Image Courtesy: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk VA |
Title: Gold Aurene Tumble-Up,
ca. 1915-33
Artist: Steuben Glass Works
Medium: Glass
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Image Courtesy: Chrysler Museum of Art,
Norfolk VA |
Frederick Carder, the noted English glass designer, founded
Steuben Glass Works in 1903 with Thomas G. Hawkes. Steuben is the county in
Corning, New York where the company was founded. Carder's specialty was
colorful Art Nouveau. The American Hawkes was a master engraver of
glass.
Together they developed innovative styles such as Aurene and Grotesque.
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| In Steuben's early years the company generally produced
functional items such as candlesticks, vases and urns. The First World War
restricted Steuben Glass Works access to necessary supplies and Corning
bought it out. Carder remained on staff. |
Title: Cluthra Vase, ca. 1920-30
Artist: Steuben Glass Works
Medium: Glass
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr
Image Courtesy: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk VA. |
Title: Jade Green Vase with Alabaster Handles,
ca. 1925-33
Artist: Steuben Glass Works
Medium: Glass
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Image Courtesy: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk VA |
Steuben Glass works is known for its style and innovation.
Grotesque Glass are free-form vases that include unusual shaped rims.
Cluthra is milky white glass that includes some opaque sections and
bubbles.
Iridescent Aurene has a metallic finish.
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| 1932 was not a good year for Frederick Carver and Steuben.
The parent company, Corning, disappointed with the poor sales of the Glass
Division, that Carder personally oversaw, changed the management. Carder
remained the President and Creative Director of Steuben Division of Corning.
He was not heavily involved in the company in future years.
Contrary to popular lore there was not a destruction of existing Steuben
Glass in 1932 while under the new management team. There is evidence that the
glass continued to be sold during this and future years negating this story.
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Title: Candlestick/Bud Vase with Spiral Decoration,
ca.
1932
Artist: Walter Dorwin Teague (American)
/Steuben Glass Works
Medium: Blow and acid-etched Glass
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Image Courtesy: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk VA |
Title: Fan Vase in Rosaline and Alabaster,
ca. 1926-31
Artist: Steuben Glass Works
Medium: Glass
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Image Courtesy: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk VA |
Carder's colorful glass decreased in popularity and instead
Steuben produced clear crystal. Steuben famously created a pure colorless
crystal in a technique they named 10M. The highly refractive glass formula
allowed for the spectrum of brilliant color to pass through the crystal.
This era is sometimes called "From Carder to Clear" to highlight this change
in the product line at Steuben. Frederic Carder, Thomas G. Hawkes and Steuben Glass Works
are an important part of the development of American Glass. |
Title: Verre d'Soie Bowl with Blue Reeding, ca. 1927-31
Artist: Steuben Glass Works
Medium: Glass
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Image Courtesy: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk VA
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