Fantasies

from Frederick Carder: Portrait of a Glassmaker by Paul V. Gardner

p.26

Acid-etched vases, bowls, and other ornamental pieces were made at Steuben from 1906 to the end of Carder’s regime and a few years beyond. Carder loved these creations, some of which were obviously inspired by the English and French cameo glass of the late 19th century, but many more were Carder’s own fantasies realized in a wide variety of handsome forms and striking color combinations.

As usual, Carder’s choice of pattern names was intriguing. Over 300 names for these etched designs are in the factory records. While some, like Dragon, Dayton, and Hunting, are less imaginative than many of Carder’s appellations, they lend a certain aura of faraway places or relate to sporting activities. Others are so downright dull that one can only surmise that there were times when even Carder’s creative mind was drained of ideas. His reaction when pressed to name a pattern at such a time might well have been “Aw, the ‘ell wit it -call it DUCKS!” Such unromantic names are a source of amusement and conjecture to present-day collectors. Today Fish, Grape, and even Bird Number 1 and Bird Number 2 have their places with the more distinctive names in the history of Carder’s etched glass.