Monday, March 14, 2011

#1 Yesterday a joint meeting was held with the Southern California (Eldorado/Emmerson) Chapter of the American Brilliant Cut Glass Association and the So Cal Elegant Glass Club. I’m pleased to report this joint meeting was a great success with 64 house packed enthusiastic people in attendance for this five hour program. Mike Manginella did a masterful and captivating presentation on copper wheel and intaglio glass engraving. Included were the masters who started with John Northwood, included his understudy, Frederick Carder, examples of Carder Steuben’s work and on today’s work by the likes including Max Ehrlacher. It was a fascinating pictorial study in how engraving is done. Then I did a presentation on Carder Steuben with a focus on its artistic aspects; yes, the decorative arts. David Chadwick-Brown of San Diego brought along a wide variety of about 30 pieces of Carder Steuben glass to touch and feel and for him to field questions. Quite a day. Glass collecting can be an exciting thing! Exciting enough that 24 attendees signed up to get the Gazette and we welcome you to this exchange of discussion on Carder Steuben glass and glass collecting. Welcome and take a look at the club website www.cardersteubenglass.com

#2 Last week we discussed the classics with commentary and pictures from Elizabeth & Frank Creech of Brevard, North Carolina. They said they feel form and design perhaps do not receive the attention for Mr. Carder’s glorious colors,

Alan,

Continuing observations on Frederick Carder’s form and design, here is Steuben Shape No. 6604 in Amethyst glass. It is engraved in the Malaya pattern.

The form is exquisite and is distinctively Oriental, complimented by its delicate decoration.

The late Mr. Robert Rockwell was very excited about this piece. He stated he had only seen one other bottle in this shape, which was colorless. (Paul Gardner’s book shows this shape in photographs from Carder’s files. The items shown are also colorless.) Mr. Rockwell stated that this shape in this color might be unique.

Elizabeth and Frank Creech

Any opinions expressed by participants to the Gazette are the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by or the opinions of the Carder Steuben Club.