The revered Steuben Glass Works — the most illustrious name in American art glass — was cofounded in 1903 in the town of Corning, New York, by Frederick Carder, a Staffordshire native and alum of British glassmaker Stevens & Williams.
Though the company began to take shape in 1776, Stevens & Williams Ltd. was formally established in 1847 in Brierley Hill in the West Midlands of England by entrepreneurs William Stevens and Samuel Cox Williams.
Carder, who had left school at an early age to work at his parents’ pottery business in Brierley Hill, returned to his education to study technology and chemistry in the evenings. During this period and into the late 19th century, demand was high for attractive, mass-produced glass, with imports providing strong competition for British glassmakers. Determined to produce glass products that were “a cut above the rest,” Stevens & Williams focused on creating unique and innovative glassware of unparalleled quality.
Led by master glassmaker John Northwood, Stevens & Williams became known in the 1870s for its hallmark colored glass. In 1880, the company garnered more attention when Northwood encouraged the 17-year-old Carder to join the firm as a draftsman and designer. Despite Carder’s young age, Northwood recognized his prodigious talent for cameo work, engraving, cutting and intaglio, skills which would contribute to some of Stevens & Williams’ most beautiful glass and crystal pieces.
Toward the turn of the century, Stevens & Williams expanded from a traditional Victorian style to include elements of Japonisme and Art Nouveau, styles that particularly influenced Carder.
Northwood continued to work for the company until his death in 1902. A year later, Carder left for the United States, where he became famous for cofounding Steuben Glass Works with entrepreneur Thomas G. Hawkes.
Carder was a restless experimenter at Steuben, constantly creating new color formulas that resulted in a wide array of hues, from milky jades to his iridescent Aurene shades. A favorite Carder technique was to acid-etch decorative patterns into pieces made of glass layered in different colors. The forms of his vessels were relatively conservative. Most are based on classic Chinese pottery; many display the flowing, naturalistic lines of the Art Nouveau period.
The larger local firm Corning Glass acquired Steuben Glass Works in 1918. The company’s approach to art glass changed radically in the early 1930s, when Corning chemists devised a new type of crystal known as 10M, with perfect clarity and brilliant refractive powers. Corning decided that, henceforth, all Steuben decorative objects, vases, sculptures and other wares would be made from the crystal.
Stevens & Williams continued production until 1967. In 1968, the company’s name was changed to Royal Brierley Crystal.
Carder worked with glass for more than eight decades. An array of his pieces can be found in the collection of the Corning Museum of Glass.
Find antique Frederick Carder serveware, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Frederick Carder for Steuben Red Steuben Grotesque Vase, 1920s
By Frederick Carder
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Frederick Carder for Steuben red Steuben Grotesque vase Additional information: Materials: Glass Color: Red Brand: Steuben Designer: S...
Glass
Frederick Carder Art Nouveau Alabaster Glass Museum Piece, Stevens and Williams
By Stevens & Williams, Frederick Carder
Located in Worcester Park, GB
An important small Frederick Carder Art Nouveau Rose Flambé Alabaster vase by Stevens and Williams originally from their own museum and probably unique. Alabaster glass was first cre...
Art Glass
$532
H 6.5 in Dm 3.35 in
Josef Rindskopf Austrian Art Nouveau Silver Mounted Iridescent Art Glass Vase
By Josef Rindskopf’s Söhne
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Bohemain Art Nouveau art glass vase with an iridescent marbled design and silver rim by Josef Rindskopf and dating from around 1904. The vas...
Silver
Vase by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Early Pewter Vase designed by Just Andersen in the 1920s. A fine detail for a beautiful place. * Oval pewter vase * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: 1522 * Year: 1918-1929 * Condit...
Pewter
Loetz Art Nouveau Four Handled Phaenomen Iridescent Art Glass Vase
By Loetz Glass
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Bohemian art nouveau Phenomen Genre 2/484 (also known as Medici) pattern Loetz vase dating from around 1902. This beautiful vase stands on a rounded spread fo...
Blown Glass
$625Sale Price|50% Off
H 6.25 in Dm 3.5 in
Art Nouveau Style Art Glass Vase Signed Contemporary, circa 1980s
By Robert Eickholt
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful contemporary art glass vase in the Art Nouveau style, by artist Robert Eickholt, circa 1980s. Vase is signed "Eickholt" and dated "1988" on bottom as shown in last t...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Thomas Webb Art Nouveau Pair Bronze Iridescent Handled Glass Vases
By Thomas Webb & Sons
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A superb and stylish pair British Art Nouveau iridescent bronze glass vases by Thomas Webb and dating from around 1890-1910. The hand-blown glass v...
Blown Glass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.25 in W 8.25 in D 5.75 in
1920s Charles Catteau (1880-1966) for Keramis Deer Vase
By Charles Catteau
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a wonderful vase by Charles Catteau for Keramis, Belgium. The vase depicts a deer and foliage on both sides with a crackle glaze background. It is signed and numbered on the ...
Ceramic
Sculptural Trench Art Vase 1920s
Located in Meer, VAN
Sculptural Trench Art Vase, Europe, 1920s. This is a very beautiful and sculptural trench art vase - made from a bombshell from the First World War. Great...
Metal
Emile Gallé French Art Nouveau Cameo Glass Vase
By Émile Gallé
Located in Antwerp, BE
Emille Galle (1846-1904). Émile Gallé was a French glass maker and furniture designer, who had his home in his native Nancy. His favourite topic, which he frequently used in his wor...
Glass
French Art Nouveau Enameled Glass Vase by Francois-Theodore Legras
By François-Théodore Legras
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful French enameled glass vase from the Art Nouveau period, circa 1930. Intricately detailed work is by François-Théodore Legras. T...
Glass
$254Sale Price|50% Off
H 3.15 in Dm 2.88 in
Antique Danish Tin Vase, Art Deco Style, Hammered Finish, 1920s
By Georg Jensen, Just Andersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade antique tin cup vase. Hammered silver like surface with small spheres decorating the top edge of the organically shaped piece. Stamp under base reads: Dansk Haandarbejde Ti...
Tin, Pewter
Awaji Pottery Vase, circa 1920s
By Awaji Pottery
Located in New York, NY
Stunning and large emerald green hand card ceramic Awaji vase with iris design. This dynamic vase shows the artistry of the Japanese during the 1920s. Magnificent scale and a vibrant...
Pottery
$5,591Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.57 in Dm 5.71 in
Loetz Vase Art Nouveau Secessionist Art Glass Phaenomen 6893 Antique Lötz
By Loetz Glass
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique Art Nouveau chalice shaped art glass vase created by the Loetz glassworks company, which was active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this vase represents a prime example of their artistic mastery. The vase features a cobalt blue ground that adds depth and richness to its overall appearance. Its surface showcases a captivating iridescent wave pattern, which adds a mesmerizing shimmer and dynamic quality to the glass. This iridescence is a hallmark of Loetz glassware and is achieved through the application of special techniques during the glassblowing process. The chalice-form of the vase gives it an elegant and graceful silhouette. This design creates a harmonious balance between the visually striking upper portion and the sturdy base. Loetz glasswares are renowned for their exceptional artistry and their ability to capture and play with light. The Phaenomen Genre 6893 vase, with its dark blue color and iridescent wave pattern, is no exception. When light interacts with the glass, it reveals a captivating range of colors and reflections, making it a visually stunning and attention-grabbing piece. As an antique Loetz glass vase...
Luster, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Steuben Frederick Carder Amber Swirl Lead Glass Compote
By Frederick Carder
Located in Doraville, GA
A transparent amber swirl lead glass compote or footed bowl, mold-blown and pattern molded. The compote is acid etched with the Steuben mark on the bottom. The vase was manufactured sometime during the 1920 to 1929 time period during Frederick Carders...
Blown Glass
Pair of Frederick Carder for Steuben Acid Cut Art Deco Vases
By Frederick Carder, Steuben Glass
Located in Litchfield, CT
Steuben, American. This pair of stunning and rare Steuben cameo glass vases features a floral and foliate motif, circa 1920s-1930s. The rich rose quartz glass is a sublime color, giv...
Crystal
Fine Steuben Blue Aurene Art Glass Stick Vase by Frederick Carder, Signed
By Frederick Carder, Steuben Glass
Located in Shippensburg, PA
This highly collectible Steuben Blue Aurene vase is made with stark and clean lines: a hollow cylinder stick of luminous and lustrous cobalt blue o...
Art Glass
Steuben Jade Green Glass Vase Signed F. Carder
By Frederick Carder
Located in Stamford, CT
Steuben jade green glass vase with opaque handles signed F. Carder
Glass
Blue Aurene Glass Vase by Frederick Carder for Steuben Glass
By Frederick Carder, Steuben Glass
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A beautiful and vibrant blue Aurene vase, designed by Frederick Carder, one of the co-founders of Steuben Glass. Aurene glass was one of his earliest color...