Lava-Like Crystallines

A Guide to Colored Steuben Glass 1903 – 1933 Book Two by Eric E. Ericson

p.19

Crystal Cologne Bottles

Towards the end of the colored crystal era many attempts were made by Mr. Carder to infuse a bit of color with a mass of quality lead crystals to try to stave off waning interest in basic colored crystal. The most noteworthy effort can be found in his cologne bottles. A second concession by him was in the area of form. Where his earlier forms are all a skillful blending of curves, the late colognes were very angular, and were shaped by actually cutting and polishing the surface. This concession, like the first, was to try to win a battle over primary colorless crystal, which he felt was cold and all but uninspiring.

The finished products were enormous objects, weighing up to some ten pounds. They wold certainly have been better used as spirits decanters, for it is hard to understand how the average lady would want to lift so heavy and cumbersome an object. As a result of this bulk and weight they have been commonly referred to as Paperweight Bottles, which, while they are not, they would most certainly be adapted to, at any rate.

Usually a mass of crystal was coated with finely ground particles of one of the Steuben colors; sometimes two or more colors were used. The object was then heated to blend the articles with the crystal in the manner of a casing, covered with crystal, heated, worked to form via a hard ribbed mold, and given a final forming. Cutting and polishing then ensued. The resultant appearance is an interior of lava-like crystalline structure, highlighted by beautiful faceted exteriors.

Shape: 6708

Form: Cologne

Color: Colorless

Type: Engraved

Cutting/ Engraving: Heavy Cut

Decoration: Mica Flecked, Green

Organization of a New Alliance of Glass Museums

from Lisa Ackerman of Orange, CA

“The Historical Glass Museum of Redlands, CA had the opportunity to participate in the organizational meeting on Friday for the Alliance of Glass Museums in America. It was a full-day conference held in West Virginia where we participated on-line using “Go To Meeting” software. It was truly amazing!

The Alliance now has a Facebook page which links all of the museums together.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alliance-of-Glass-Museums-in-America/1401934736800506

The purpose is to coordinate our efforts and grow all of the glass museums across the country.