CLUTHRA
By
Bob Mueller

This is one of Mr. Carder’s favorites. Cluthra was already being made by James Couper & Sons in Glasgow , Scotland when Mr. Carder was an English glassmaker. Mr. Carder’s adaptation really appears to be so much more elegant.

In the late 1920’s Mr. Carder would start to produce his “Cluthra” which by far and away was the best of this type of glass made. Mr. Carder would have two American competitors that would have their version of Cluthra. Durand which used yellow, orange and pink for its color never really could not get a piece to compare, nor did Kimball Glass.

While Cluthra is similar to its sisters Cintra or Quartz the major difference was the use of potassium nitrate, which when reheated would form bubbles inside the two layers of crystal glass, with a one or two color tone already added to the glass.

In the late 1920s the Art Deco movement was in full force. Cluthra was a perfect combination for the Art Deco Era, and so Mr. Carder’s with his Cluthra created grace.

The colors Mr. Carder chose to use were just the perfect compliment for the glass. Whether a single color, two or sometimes three colors, Mr. Carder’s Cluthra had its own show going at this time.

As we all know Mr. Carder’s Cluthra was an enormous success on two popular pieces, both vases, cat. Nos. #2683 and #8505 (M Handles).

But some of his finest pieces of Cluthra were pieces used for cutting purposes, or acid etching. One design I have seen the most used in Cluthra is the Boothbay design, and usually in a three color piece of Cluthra. For an example see the end of the following link, as well as for additional Cluthra pieces. http://www.kddk.com/alans/CLUTHRA.pdf

But, in my opinion, his finest Cluthras were the Art Deco heavy cased cut bowls, vases and perfumes. As with Mr. Carder’s Cintra cut perfumes, his Cluthra cut perfumes are at that same top level. No matter what the color that is used, the Art Deco Cut design combined with Cluthra brings out the best of the piece.

We can keep identifying other great examples of Cluthra and how it was used, but it all comes back to its timing tied perfectly into the Art Deco Era. I think the key element that really made it work so special is its “Bubbles”. That made it what it is so special..

Bob Mueller
Osseo , MN
June 8, 2009