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How do you identify Steuben glass?
1 Answer

To identify Steuben glass, look on the bottom or interior for a maker's marking. Nearly all pieces produced by the manufacturer display an acid-engraved marking. On glassware produced before 1932, this marking usually consists of a fleur-de-lis and the word "Steuben." After 1932, the maker used many other hallmarks, which you can find images of on trusted online resources. Comparing the marking on your glassware to these images can help you determine if Steuben produced it and approximately when it was made. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also help you identify the items. Shop a variety of Steuben glass on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
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Shop for Steuben Glass Furniture on 1stDibs
Steuben Glassworks Signed Crystal "Snail" Scroll Handle Olive Bowl
By Steuben Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Steuben Glassworks signed crystal "snail" scroll handle olive bowl, circa 1960s. An iconic piece of American mid-century modern design, this clear lead crystal bowl was produced by S...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
Steuben Glass & 18K Gold “Trout & Fly” by James Houston, Introduced 1966
By Steuben Glass, James Houston
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Steuben Glass & 18K Gold “Trout & Fly” by James Houston, Introduced 1966
American, Steuben Glass Works, Corning, New York
Crystal and 18k Gold • Signed • H. 8 in. × W. 6.5 in. × D. 2 in.
A masterwork of American glass artistry, this signed Steuben crystal sculpture, “Trout & Fly,” was designed by James Houston and first introduced in 1966. Houston, one of Steuben’s most celebrated designers, was widely known for his wildlife studies in glass, many inspired by his time in the Canadian Arctic and his reverence for the natural world.
The sculpture depicts a trout captured in a moment of suspended motion, arcing upward from stylized swirling water in pursuit of an exquisitely detailed 18k gold mayfly. The insect, mounted on a fine wire stem, hovers delicately at the fish’s open mouth, completing the narrative of predator and prey.
Techniques & Materials
Steuben Crystal: Hand-blown, optically pure crystal, polished to a flawless surface. Steuben’s proprietary formula, developed in the early 20th century, is distinguished by its extraordinary clarity and brilliance.
Controlled Bubble Inclusions: The fish’s body is decorated with perfectly placed air bubbles, achieved through expert manipulation of molten glass. These bubbles evoke the shimmer of scales and the sparkle of water.
Cold-Polished Detailing: Fin edges, mouth, and wave-like base are sharply defined through precise polishing, heightening the sense of motion.
18k Gold Mayfly: The hand-wrought gold insect is finely chased to suggest delicate wings and naturalistic form, providing a striking contrast to the crystal’s transparency.
Designer: James Houston (1921–2005)
Houston joined Steuben in 1952 and became one of its leading designers, bringing a lyrical naturalism to the company’s repertoire. His works—including Arctic wildlife, fish, and avian studies—are considered icons of mid-20th-century American glass design. The “Trout & Fly” exemplifies Houston’s hallmark blend of simplicity, symbolism, and technical virtuosity.
Introduced in 1966 (Steuben design no. 1002-ST). This example bears the engraved Steuben signature at the base.
The composition celebrates the vitality of nature and the drama of survival. The trout, emblematic of strength and perseverance, leaps toward a fleeting mayfly—an insect long associated with the fragility and transience of life. Together, they capture a timeless moment of balance in the natural cycle.
Steuben crystal animal...
Category
20th Century American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gold
Steuben signed Gold Aurene and Green Link Chain Ornament 1925 - Frederick Carder
By Steuben Glass, Frederick Carder
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Amazing fully signed gold aurene bowl/vase with green chain decoration by Frederick Carder for Steuben dating to 1925. It is decorated with an green link chain line around the body a...
Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Nouveau Glass
Materials
Art Glass
Lion Paperweight / Hand Cooler by Steuben Glassworks
By Steuben Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare crystal lion paperweight / hand cooler by Tal Lebel Schaefer for Steuben Glassworks, circa 2000s. The piece is in very good condition with no c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Animal Sculptures
Materials
Crystal
$180 Sale Price
20% Off
4 Arm Arts & Crafts Bronze Chandelier w/ Faces & Steuben Glass Shades ca. 1910
By Steuben Glass
Located in Petaluma, CA
This very handsome 4 arm chandelier is of a very high quality. The 4 cast bronze faces show the extent of the commitment to detail as well as the 4 cast bronze husks over the shade ...
Category
Vintage 1910s American Arts and Crafts Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Bronze
Steuben Glass Art Deco Op Art Crystal Vase, Signed
By Steuben Glass, Frederick Carder, George Thompson
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage art glass vase features rounded form with vertical optical ribs, creating dynamic reflections and accentuating the inverted rim. Heavy, substantial crystal medium juxtaposes ...
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Vases
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass


