More Discoveries?

from David Chadwick-Brown of San Diego

Alan,

In addition to the usages of ‘intarsia’ cited over the last several days, and the ‘new intarsia/intarsea,’ there is another instance when an item was called ‘intarsia.’ Some years back I purchased a vase, about five inches tall. It is alternating random bands of bristol yellow and amethyst, with bubbles. Though I cannot find the shape in Gardner, and it is not signed, I believe the provenance impeccable. Further, I showed Bobby Rockwell a photograph, and as I recall, he said he had seen a similar combination of colors – perhaps a plate?

The shape comes closest to #2639. Reduce the height by an inch, broaden the shoulders somewhat, and put even less height in a narrower neck, and you have a sense of the item. Here is the description in the letter accompanying the sale: “Regarding the Steuben Glass Vase Bristol Yellow with Amethyst & clear bubbles: This was purchased by me along with about 4 or 5 other pieces of Steuben. The person I bought these from was … in Addison, NY. She told me that her father worked together with Frederick Carder at the Steuben factory in Corning, N.Y. I bought these pieces in around 1975 to 1980. She told me that the above mentioned vase was the very first “Intarsia” piece. That it was “Experimental,” and that Mr. Carder gave this piece to her father. Sincerely Catherine A. Erlacher (Kitty)”

For authentication purposes, they don’t come much better than Kitty and Bobby, in my book.

Thanks all, for the continuing dialogue and enlightenment

Always Nice To Get a Compliment

from Carol Ketchum of Genoa, NY

Love the informative articles and pictures.

Another Thought on Intrarsia

from A Guide to Colored Steuben Glass 1903 – 1933, Book Two at p. 55-57

Florentia and its use would imply the creation of a flower within the glass.

There can be absolutely no doubt that Carder’s Florentia is an Intarisa-type creation, and preceded it by a very short period in time. There are striking similarities in the finished ware of each. There are striking similarities in the finished ware of each. The pointed conclusion of our observations was that the minute erraticies of the one, ie, Florentia is non-existent in the later Intarsia. Perhaps this one salient point is best appreciated in the finished product where one is acidized and the other is natural.

The reader will note that we referred to Carder’s Florentia as an Intarsia-type. The reason for this is that the exact method used for placing the flower is an unknown.

Cinnamon Florentia charger – go to the shape gallery for a green bowl version