Cobalt Blue

Nov 10, 2014
Issue 2098

In Memoriam

Friday, we reported the death of S. Donald Stookey. John Styler of Prospect Heights, Illinois responds:

Yesterday I heard on the new of the passing of Mr. Stookey and I was very interested to
see the link in the Gazelle to his obit. He was certainly a remarkably accomplished man
who lived among us.

More Definitions from Shuman’s book

p. 15 Cobalt Blue – Steuben

This color is the darkest of the blues produced by Steuben. The hue was achieved from a cobalt base. Objects were cased with clear crystal; drinking stems may be clear. The blue was made in a vertical ribbed and diamond quilted pattern, being both lustrous and brilliant. A great variety of decorative and functional objects in this color came from the plant.

Hmm. Gardner in his treaty at page 64 describing Cobalt Blue says that Blue Aurene was often called Cobalt Blue and Cobalt Blue Aurene by Steuben factory workmen. Note that Shuman doesn’t refer to Cobalt Blue as being iridescent, which is inherently necessary for the Aurenes. Gardner at p. 59 lists Carder Steuben Glass colors that are not the iridescent colors. In that listing is Cobalt Blue and Dark Jade Blue, among other blues.

So the question is what is Cobalt Blue? Looking at the Club website, I didn’t find a color listed as Cobalt Blue. However I did find that the term was used from about 1903 to the mid-1920s. Perhaps someone can help identify Cobalt Blue. My stab at it would be that which is called Dark Blue Jade

Optic Ribbed Dark Blue Jade Vase Shape #7437

Symposium 2025
Carder Steuben Glass Association
19-20 September 2025
© Carder Steuben Glass Association Inc.