Great Window Display

Dear Alan

With reference to two recent discussions regarding glass displayed in windows and amberina….

When I hear amberina glass discussed, I don’t immediately think of Carder Steuben glass. The majority of amberina was made by several American companies starting in 1883 with the New England Glass Works in Massachusetts. Other companies that were active with this type of glass were the Mt. Washington Glass Company (Massachusetts), Hobbs, Brockunier & Company (West Virginia) and Libbey (Ohio). Most examples shade from pale yellow or amber transparent glass to a deep red, burgundy red, or dark fuchsia red. The shading was achieved by adding powdered gold to the amber glass ingredients. The glass was then molded or blown. Later a portion of the glass was reheated with the reheated portion shading to red. Many collectors prize those examples with very gradual shading and a wide spectrum of color. Many examples such as cups, creamers, and pitchers had plain or reeded handles applied in amber or clear glass.

Much of our amberina is displayed in a garden window (north side, indirect light), along with some green depression glass and some “odds and ends.” Yes, the wine glass is Carder. The location makes these pieces easily reachable for regular usage. The effect, from both inside and outside, is an amazing display of color, and I often hear from neighbors how much they also enjoy seeing it.

Janet Ziffer

Glass Returned to the Fire

from Rande Bly:

David Chadwick- Brown was telling us about glass that is returned to the fire. This changes the color when it is reheated before allowing it to cool. Steuben Amberina and Steuben Burmese are made in this manner. The timing is critical.

All of this history is a little confusing but let me see if I can get it right. Amberina Glass was patented by Joseph Locke and Edward Libby in 1883. Libby was the owner and Locke was head of design for the Cambridge works of the New England Glass Company. Hobbs Brockunier also made Amberina but they had to get a licence from Libby of New England.

In 1880 Mt. Washington Glass Co. started Pairpoint right next door. In the 1880’s, Mt. Washington started making Art Glass instead of the cheaper pressed glass. Mount Washington made a form of Amberina that was called Rose Amber. New England Glass Co. had the patent on Amberina. They sued Mount Washington and won in 1886. Rose Amber was no longer produced.

In 1885 Mt. Washington made Burmese art glass. It is a translucent heat reactive uranium glass that shades from yellow at the bottom to salmon pink at the top. Mt. Washington is famous for this form of glass.

Wow what a tangled up mess just over two types of glass, Burmese, and Amberina!! Just look at all the great names involved! Maybe this has something to do with why Steuben never moved Burmese or Amberina to production? As far as they say 6 pieces of Steuben Burmese were made and Ericson says just a “few” pieces of Steuben Amberina. One thing I have learned is never say never with Carder! I have seen a lot of Amberina in my days but listen to me when I say NOBODY made it as well as Carder. However, this should come as nothing of a surprise to any of us.

Today I will show from the David Chadwick-Brown collection a photo of a Carder Steuben Optic Ribbed Amberina 2028 10 in. Plate. Starting with red at the pontil it shades to orange, to yellow amber, to red again at the rim. Thank you Eric Ericson. I don’t know what to say other than the beauty of this plate literally takes my breath away!

Rande Bly