The following story is about a very special piece of Carder Steuben. Some years ago, again while attending a Symposium, the first place I stopped that year was at the Carder Steuben shop on Market Street. Beth Shaut welcomed me into the shop and as always, a dazzling array of Carder Steuben greets the eyes. Out of all the beautiful pieces in the shop, the one that immediately caught my eye was a rather unconventional piece. It was what appeared to be an uncut blank shape #6756 in opal over rose cintra. I had to contribute to the Corning tax base that day, and thus it was purchased. I felt that day, and in subsequent years in our home, that I always knew I wanted to do more with the vase, just didn’t exactly know what that was. Then came this year of Covid and quarantine, it allowed for some thinking, and finally, I came up with a plan for my vase.

When I was young, my times with my father were somewhat limited due to the relentless dedication to the medical profession. You see my father was one of those old time physicians who worked way too many hours. One of the days of the week when he could relax was the first half of Sunday. I distinctly remember my father one of those Sunday mornings more than 40 years ago, call me into the bedroom to watch this new show. I recall him saying that he thought that I’d enjoy it. That show was CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt. Well, that was the start of many shared wonderful memories of Sunday mornings with both my mother and father watching or talking about what was on, because we all really enjoyed the show. If you’re familiar with the show, each segment will end with a different depiction of a sun face with emanating rays.

Then, on a Sunday morning earlier this year, I knew what I wanted to do with the vase. I envisioned that sun face engraved through the opal layer into the rose cintra layer. Who better, than the man who I have the utmost respect for as a person and master engraver of glass for more than six decades, Max Erlacher. I sent the vase up to the Corning area where Max and his lovely wife Kitty live, and Max engraved this fantastic sun face for me. During the process of Max engraving it I came to realize what exactly was being created. An heirloom, a true family heirloom was being created. I sent a request up to Max that on the base of the piece he engrave, “for Mark Chamovitz, in remembrance of his parents.”

What a truly great honor it is for me to have had Max create this family heirloom for our family. I know that it will be cherished for generations to come.

Mark Chamovitz

In the sunlight one can see the extent of Max’s engraving.

Kitty

I don’t know if this is the piece, but I remember Hearing that Kitty Erlacher was the model for one of Max’s designs. 🙂 Lisa Ackerman Baldwin”