Hello, I have a question that I was hoping that someone may be able to clarify.

I was involved in a conversation in a large glass discussion group where I had commented that I had not seen a Steuben vase with no pontil mark and a fire polished rim. I am aware from Gardner, that Steuben did use some molds, and also did some pressed items and casting also. I could find no reference to mold use in Dimitroff.

I was unaware of any vase they did with a mold and finished the rim without applying a punty, other than a couple of examples with ground and polished rims.

If they did produce using molds for limited production of vases, did they use “gadgets” or snap tools of some sort to finish the top without applying a punty rod?

If they did, are there any shape numbers you could point me to as examples of that style of production? I have handled a lot of Steuben in my collecting and research, and have never handled a piece with no pontil mark and a fire polished rim. This is new information to me if it is accurate.

Thanks in advance for any clarification you can provide.

Craig Orkney