Dick Weert’s point is well taken and I agree wholeheartedly. However we must be guided by what little information we have. Attributions change when facts emerge. i.e. for 40 years I called octopus glass a S & W product until the Loetz factory drawings were published.
This item has been associated with one of the elite dealers in my book, an astute collector
and has been accompanied by other clearly ascertainable fine related objects. Provenance to me relates to whatever meager background we have. It is not always absolute. I will not bid on this vase at any level and hope it ends up in Corning because despite any confusion, seeming inconsistencies or more appropriately a lack of information, this item relates to Carder.

Pat Fulton writes and asks for help:
The reason for this little letter is I’d like to share some pictures with the “Club.” In my collection I have 5 marked Steuben gold aurene shades in what I believe to be shape number 877-1/2 (square) – I’m not knowledgeable enough to say that definitively and there don’t seem to be any available anywhere to compare them to, only the line drawings in Gardner’s book.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cardersteubenclub/sets/72157600026857383/