Steuben Glass Works is the most illustrious name in American art glass. Its vividly colored Art Nouveau and Asian-style wares produced in the early 20th century as well as later modernist works rendered in flawlessly clear crystal are objects of striking beauty and delicacy.
The Steuben Glass Works was cofounded in 1903 in the town of Corning, New York, by Frederick Carder, an alum of celebrated British glassmaker Stevens & Williams and a self-taught English chemist and glassmaker. Carder was a restless experimenter, 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 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.
Art glass was made in two formats: molded and polished abstract sculptures and figurines, or pieces for which artists used Steuben crystal as a sort of canvas. The first such artwork was sculptor Stanley Waugh’s 1935 Gazelle Bowl, a vessel etched with brawny Art Deco animal forms. In later years, Steuben would invite artists that included Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe and Isamu Noguchi to “paint” in the firm’s crystal.
Steuben glass comes in myriad forms and is available in a broad range of price points. Jewel-toned glasses and tableware from the Carder era include candlesticks marked at $300 and full dinner services for more than $10,000. Small crystal figurines bring around $1,000, while larger sculptures are priced in the neighborhood of $7,000.
Steuben glass, with its impeccable artistry and timeless grace, deserves a place in any collection.
Find antique Steuben glass and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Steuben Glass and Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers
By Steuben Glass
Located in New York, NY
Steuben glass and sterling silver salt & pepper shakers. Pair American heavy crystal hourglass form shakers both signed on verso "Steuben" and silver caps stamped "Steuben Sterling."...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
$176Sale Price|20% Off
H 3 in W 5.25 in D 3 in
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Salt and Pepper Shakers New in Box 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in San Diego, CA
Wilhelm Wagenfeld glass and stainless steel salt and Pepper Shakers, 1952. Produced by WMF of Germany. Selected for the MoMA Good Design Exhibition and part of their permanent colle...
Stainless Steel
$319Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 2.75 in Dm 1.5 in
Pair of Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shaker
Located in Sheffield, MA
Faneuil by Tiffany & Co. sterling silver salt shaker and pepper mill set. Simple elegance, Salt shaker 1.5" D x 2.25" H. OFFERING FREE SHIPPING TO CONTINENTAL US. PLEASE JUST ASK FO...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Salt Pepper Shakers Gorham
By Gorham
Located in New York, NY
A pair of sterling silver salt and pepper shakers from Gorham Silversmiths, circa early-20th century, America. Classic sterling silver shakers with finial top and footed base. Beauti...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Italian Silver Plate Salt Shaker and Peppermill
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style to your dining table with these vintage Italian salt shaker and matching pepper grinder are silver plate with wood liners to prevent corrosion. ...
Silver Plate
Set of Eight, Tiffany & Co., Sterling Silver Open Salts & Pepper Shakers
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A set of eight, Tiffany & Co., sterling silver open salts & pepper shakers, 1907-1938, comprising four shakers and four salts, with shaped foot and fluted body, monogramed G each ma...
Silver
$85 / set
H 2 in W 5 in D 3 in
Vintage Porcelain Elephants Salt and Pepper Shakers with Tray Collectible
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage collectible blue and white porcelain elephants salt and pepper Shakers with tray. Shakers are 2”H x 2 1/5”. Tray is 3” x 5”. Chinoiserie han...
Porcelain
$190
H 2 in W 7 in D 2.5 in
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Mid-Century Max & Moritz Salt Pepper Twins Shakers, WMF, 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of lovely modernist Bauhaus "Max & Moritz salt and pepper twins“ shakers, original vintage from the 1950s. Designed by Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld, executed by WMF Württembergische...
Stainless Steel
$365 / set
H 2.75 in Dm 1.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Tortoise Bakelite Salt and Pepper Shaker Set by Au Bain Marie
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern salt and pepper Shaker set were realized in France circa 1960 by the esteemed maker Au Bain Marie. They feature sinuously...
Bakelite
$76Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3.15 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Midcentury Salt and Pepper Shakers by Ehrenreich of Denmark in Teak
By Hans Gustav Ehrenreich
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage midcentury salt and pepper shakers by Ehrenreich of Denmark in teak. It was the late 1950s, and in Ehrenreich’s small workshop, there was no shortage of imagination. No two things were ever alike. Small silver fish were inlaid in hand-turned bowls...
Teak
Contemporary Stone Covered Salt and Pepper Shakers - a Pair
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful multicolor stone covered salt and pepper shakers.
Glass, Plastic
$8,475 / set
H 3.5 in W 3.75 in D 3.25 in
Handcrafted Sterling Silver Octopus Salt Shaker and Pepper Mill by Missiaglia
By Missiaglia 1846
Located in New York, NY
Established in Venice in 1846, Missiaglia is one of the world's premier makers of the finest jewelry objects, as well as a select number of bespoke sterling silver tabletop accessori...
Sterling Silver
Danish Modern Teak Salt and Pepper Shakers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome minimalist pair of salt and pepper shakers. Executed in teak wood with warm tones and attractive grains. In good condition with even color and no major wear.
Teak
Antique Steuben Art Glass Center Bowl & Compote Set, Circa 1920
By Steuben Glass
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique garniture set by Steuben offers blue bubble art glass construction with ruffle rim center bowl and two stemmed compotes, unsigned, c19...
Glass, Art Glass
Set of 4 Steuben Amethyst Art Glass Stemmed Cordials, 20th Century
By Steuben Glass
Located in Big Flats, NY
A set of four stemmed cordials by Steuben offer flared amethyst art glass cups and feet with colorless glass stems, 20th century Measures: 4.75" heigh...
Art Glass
Mid-Century Modern Signed Steuben Wine Decanter Teardop Stopper
By Steuben Glass
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a romantic, glass wine decanter, with a teardrop stopper, signed Steuben. In vintage condition. The dimensions are 4" diameter x 11.5" height.
Glass
Crystal Cheese and Mouse by Steuben
By Steuben Glass, James Houston
Located in New Orleans, LA
Depicting a mouse atop a slice of cheese, this charming crystal creation was crafted by the famed American glassmakers Steuben Glass Works. The diminutive objet d'art was designed by...
Crystal, Gold
12 Exceptional Modernist Steuben Baluster Water Goblets
By Steuben Glass
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1940, by the Steuben Glass Works, Corning, NY. Known as the #7877 baluster stem, this is the most coveted of all modernist glasses. Intended as a water glass, today these gobl...
Glass
Steuben Pomona Green 72-Piece Set of Stemware c1920s
By Steuben Glass
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, Steuben, American. This exquisite Art Deco Steuben 72-piece set consists of 12 each: water goblets, cocktail glasses, wine glasses, champagne glasses (also perfect for ...
Glass