Steuben Glass Works is the most illustrious name in American art glass. Its vividly colored Art Nouveau and Asian-style wares produced in the early 20th century as well as later modernist works rendered in flawlessly clear crystal are objects of striking beauty and delicacy.
The Steuben Glass Works was cofounded in 1903 in the town of Corning, New York, by Frederick Carder, an alum of celebrated British glassmaker Stevens & Williams and a self-taught English chemist and glassmaker. Carder was a restless experimenter, constantly creating new color formulas that resulted in a wide array of hues, from milky jades to his iridescent Aurene shades. A favorite Carder technique was to acid-etch decorative patterns into pieces made of glass layered in different colors. The forms of his vessels were relatively conservative. Most are based on classic Chinese pottery; many display the flowing, naturalistic lines of the Art Nouveau period.
The larger local firm Corning Glass acquired Steuben in 1918. The company’s approach to art glass changed radically in the early 1930s, when Corning chemists devised a new type of crystal known as 10M, with perfect clarity and brilliant refractive powers. Corning decided that, henceforth, all Steuben decorative objects, vases, sculptures and other wares would be made from the crystal.
Art glass was made in two formats: molded and polished abstract sculptures and figurines, or pieces for which artists used Steuben crystal as a sort of canvas. The first such artwork was sculptor Stanley Waugh’s 1935 Gazelle Bowl, a vessel etched with brawny Art Deco animal forms. In later years, Steuben would invite artists that included Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe and Isamu Noguchi to “paint” in the firm’s crystal.
Steuben glass comes in myriad forms and is available in a broad range of price points. Jewel-toned glasses and tableware from the Carder era include candlesticks marked at $300 and full dinner services for more than $10,000. Small crystal figurines bring around $1,000, while larger sculptures are priced in the neighborhood of $7,000.
Steuben glass, with its impeccable artistry and timeless grace, deserves a place in any collection.
Find antique Steuben glass and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Cased Bon Bon Dish
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid century modern Murano cased bon bon dish, Italy. Clear gold fleckes red over opaque white in a ruffles lilypad form. Worn original label. Condition commensurate with age and use....
Murano Glass
Mid Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala "Inari" Glass Bowl from Littala Glass Factory
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala "Inari" Glass Bowl, Iittala Glass Factory, Finland. Signed by the designer with model number. An exceptional, sculptural, footed bowl designed by Ta...
Glass
circa 1900 American Brilliant Cut Glass Footed Rose Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 American brilliant cut glass footed rose bowl or toddy bowl. Unusually large for a stunning bouquet or as a toddy bowl. A few minute flaws. 7 1/2" dia., 6 3/4" h. Whiteha...
Cut Glass
Mid-Century Modern Danish Low Bowl by Michael Andersen & Sons
By Michael Andersen & Son
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Modern low bowl by Michael Andersen & Sons, Danish. Reticulated & folded edge; cobalt to grey. (Jens Michael Andersen, 1859-1931, Bornholm, Denmark.) The company continue...
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Irish Cut Glass Fruit or Syllabub Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 19th century Regency cut glass fruit or syllabub bowl, Irish. Stemmed form. The bottom wear suggests a ladle in frequent use. The clarity is typical of Waterford. Handblown & c...
Cut Glass
Circa 1950s Czech Cut Crystal Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Cut crystal vase purchased in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. In the excellent Bohemian glass work tradition - well cut with stars & diamonds & half moon border. Retains worn label "Ge...
Crystal
Vintage Steuben Art Glass Oval Folded Bowl
By Steuben Glass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage art glass bowl. By Steuben. In a folded oval shape. Simply a great piece of Steuben glass! Date: circa 1980s Overall Condition: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs, some fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Maker: Steuben Marks: With an etched Steuben...
Art Glass
George Thompson for Steuben 1953 8063 Rippled Base Bowl Contemporary Modern
By Steuben Glass, George Thompson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A stunning crystal glass piece designed by George Thompson for Steuben glass company. This 1953 item numbered 8063 features a wide, shallow bowl with a rippled glass base. This piece...
Glass
Hand-Blown Murano Glass Centrepiece Bowl, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
This luxury Murano glass bowl is a masterful example of Italian mid-century design. Hand-blown in Murano, Italy during the 1970s, it features an organic freeform silhouette in smoky ...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Steuben Glass Basket Shaped Bowl by Donald Pollard #8079
By Steuben Glass, Donald Pollard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American art glass bowl. By Steuben Glass. Designed by Donald Pollard in 1957. Of a large oval form with two applied folded glass stylized "flower" feet to the base. Model...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Italian Murano Glass Bowl Centerpiece, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Splendid and heavy centerpiece in Murano artistic glass. The bowl is a true piece of art created by the master's hand - Produced in Murano, Italy, in the 1950s. On the underside ther...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Steuben Twin Scroll Oval Bowl
By Steuben Glass, George Thompson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American art glass bowl. By Steuben Glass. Designed by George Thompson in 1949. Likely dates to the 1970s. Of an oval form with two folded crystal "scrolls" to the sides...
Art Glass
