ART DECO ERA
By Bob Mueller

I personally feel that Frederick Carder’s greatest and most important years at Steuben Glass occurred during the Art Deco Era.

It doesn’t matter if you looked at the RCA building or other Art Deco buildings in New York City or styles of furniture, cars, or glass. The Art Deco period could not be touched by any other period. Nothing….

When Mr. Carder returned from Paris to America in 1925, you could see from his line drawings how this experience transformed him and the Art Deco era was on its way at Steuben Glass.

His colors were great, the shapes just fantastic, the cut designs could not be touched by any other glass company here in America . But if you look at the art deco craze in Europe one other company could possibly give Mr. Carder a run for the roses and that was Lalique.

Both of these gentlemen understood Art Deco’s styles and their work has met the test of time; and with a re-birth of Art Deco it is appreciated that much more.

When the Art Deco Era was going full speed in the late 20’s Mr. Carder was at the top of his game using the Art Deco influence to the fullest.

One Item that shows Mr. Carder’s great imagination was the cut Cintra & Cluthra perfume bottles (heavy weight colognes) he designed. The chosen inner center color, then cased in a very heavy crystal, finally cut to some of the most spectacular designs I have ever seen done. As I once talked with a friend and showed him a photo of one, he turned around and joked saying “the only reason he made it like that was so one’s wife could kill you with it”. Certainly not the real reason behind the 14 heavy weight perfumes of that style he designed.

As you look at the brilliance of the perfumes how could one not see nor understand Mr. Carder’s great talent. It was the best and always “will be”.

As you look at the linked photos you see a great variety of how Mr. Carder used the Deco Era to show us how he could make a something to please each person’s personal taste.

Bob Mueller
Osseo , MN
March, 2009