Air Trapped

from David Goldstein of Naples, FL

Willson Craigie’s Vase

is a good example of Silver Overlay applied to a diamond- quilt air-trap glass vase. Air-trap decoration was done in many patterns by many companies. Diamond-quilt is far and away the most common air-trap pattern , with the possible exception of controlled bubble. Diamond -quilt was also the most common air-trap pattern at Steuben, especially in Silverina pieces which also have mica flakes. Carder did many more air-trap designs at Stevens & Williams than he did at Steuben.

Air trap was done by literally hundreds of companies in the United States, England and Europe. Sometimes you can identify the maker from the shape, the air-trap pattern, a mark or some other distinctive characteristic; but not usually. A few patterns such as Stevens & Wiliams Pompeiian Swirl or Loetz Octopus were unique to particular companies but most are more generic.

The pattern on Willson’s Vase is fairly sharp. By comparison, most Steuben air-trap pieces are less precise, with wavy patterns. I would not venture a guess as to the maker of the glass in Willson’s Vase. Like him, I would want to see either a catalog or ad showing the form or evidence from the silver company regarding the company that supplied the blank.

Without Mica

from Rande Bly of Birmingham, AL

What do the Steuben’s air trap pieces without mica look like? Many of the Webb pieces have white glass casing. The pieces from Steuben are a single transparent color. Like Gold Ruby for example. . I will include a black and white photo of Steuben Diamond air trap. This photo does not tell us the color but another black and white photo shows us a Gold Ruby piece done around 1905.