This Isn’t Your Sailboat

While walking the beach yesterday morning I saw this unusual sight; a beached sailboat. Apparently during the prior night’s rain storm this boat broke from its moorings and traveled, perhaps ten miles, and then got beached. Should remind us of how fortunate we non boat owner’s are at this Thanksgiving time. Maybe; maybe not. Also, perhaps it will take our mind off of the election. I include yesterday’s experience just to prove to you readers that I do have a life beyond Carder Steuben.

Mat su no ke and Umber

from David Chadwick-Brown

The auction house said that this was a crackle VDS with gold aurene trailings. That seemed exotic enough, so secured the lamp. Upon arrival, I discovered that the mat su no ke trailings were not aurene, but were painted with raw umber.

The #938 (far right) is one of the larger models, though I believe I once saw one that was 20 inches, and while cumbersome, now I wish I had bought it. How the gaffers managed such a large item deserves enormous respect!

Question–What is raw umber? Or, what is burnt umber?

In Paul Gardner’s book, The Glass of Frederick Carder at page 112 several pieces of acid etched pieces are pictured and the author notes that acid-etched designs are accented with raw umber. Mat su no ke likewise would lend itself to an application of umber to accentuate the contrast between the decoration and the base material. Umber on Carder Steuben pieces are seldom seen since where applied it may have been thought to be grime and was washed off.

So then what is mat su no ke?

The second question is easy. See the decoration on the piece below that shows it better than the picture at David C-B’s collection.