CARDER’S CUT AND ENGRAVED GLASS
By Robert Mueller

In 1903 when Frederick Carder co-founded Steuben Glass in Corning , NY the Brilliant Cut and Engraved Era was in full force and effect, and largely centered in Corning , NY . While Carder is best known during this period for his development of his Art Nouveau style, since this was also the style of the time, Mr. Carder knew he would need to also produce Brilliant Cut and Engraved glass to keep up with all his competition of this genre in Corning.

When Mr. Carder started his operations he already had glass designs ready to be engraved by his engravers, who did it in their homes. In 1905 Mr. Carder would start to make his cut glass.

In some of the photo’s http://www.kddk.com/alans/EarlyCrystals.pdf

you will see two vases that are early pieces. The crystal vase is engraved with added prunts to it. The other vase has green applied machine threading, then has a floral, butterfly pattern engraved to the piece.

There were substantial periods of time during the Carder era where little cutting and engraving was done. However, as the later Carder years (prior to 1933) were approaching I feel Steuben Glass did its best cut and engraved glass work.

With the Art Deco era now in full blossom Mr. Carder stepped forward to show his adaptations of what he learned at the Paris Exhibition in 1925.

Great colors started to appear in Mr. Carder’s cut and engraved pieces. Moonlight, Wisteria and other color combinations such as Amethyst and Celeste Blue; but I feel the best two pieces were developed in 1932.

First, in crystal was the Strawberry Mansion design as shown in the advertisement, shown in link http://www.kddk.com/alans/StrawberryMansion.pdf .

In my mother’s collection this was the centerpiece that she proudly showed off when guests were at her home. This Strawberry Mansion design would magnetically draw attention from anyone who saw the piece. The cutting and engraving of this piece showed what Steuben Glass could make, for only $35.

The second piece, also made in 1932, was the Poussin cut design done at Steuben Glass.

http://www.kddk.com/alans/Poussin.pdf

Here Mr. Carder cased his crystal with mirror black. Then he would let his cutters go to work. The beautiful cutting done by these men would fetch a pretty price for a dozen goblets for $228. In 1932 this was an extreme price, but was well worth it in those days.

When Mr. Carder’s cut and engraved glass was made it was at the time the best and finest glass made during the Brilliant and Cut Era. I feel we collectors are very fortunate to be able to add items like this to our collections and appreciate them as much as we do.

Many collectors I know feel Mr. Carder’s cut and engraved glass is not equal to other makers, such as Sinclair, Pairpoint or Hawkes. But I feel Mr. Carder was sorely underrated because he was so much better known for his iridescent and colored crystals which overshadowed his cut and engraved glass. Great pieces with great cut and engraved workmanship was just another standard of Mr. Carder’s and we all know that if the piece did not meet his standard, what would happen.

He would destroy it.

At the link set forth above see several pictures of cut and engraved Carder Steuben glass, along with an advertisement for Strawberry Mansion pattern. Also, Masterpieces in Glass by Steuben brochure (c. 1932) at Pages 5 through 7 of the brochure pictures cut and engraved pieces, and the entire brochure is a stunning statement of Carder’s works.

(Note—the first link shows page 1 of the brochure & the second link shows the cover and the other 15 pages of the brochure.

http://www.kddk.com/alans/Masterpiecespage1.pdf
http://www.kddk.com/alans/Masterpieces.pdf

Robert Mueller
April 23, 2009
Osseo , MN