Steuben: American Art Glass & Crystal
Steuben Glass Works, founded by Frederick Carder and Thomas G. Hawkes in Corning, New York, in 1903, produced some of the finest art glass and crystal ever made in America. Carder, an Englishman trained at Stevens & Williams, brought extraordinary technical skill to the enterprise, developing iconic colored glass lines including Aurene, Verre de Soie, and Cluthra. After Corning Glass Works absorbed Steuben in 1918, the company shifted to clear optical crystal in 1933 under Arthur Amory Houghton Jr., becoming synonymous with American luxury crystal until closing in 2011.
Identification & Marks
Early Carder-era pieces (1903-1932) may bear an acid-etched fleur-de-lis mark with "STEUBEN" or a paper label. Many Carder pieces are unmarked, requiring identification by form, color, and technique. Post-1933 crystal pieces carry an engraved "Steuben" script signature, often on the base. Shape numbers were used internally and correspond to published catalogs. Aurene pieces sometimes bear a scratched "Aurene" mark with a four-digit shape number. Beware of Quezal, Durand, and other iridescent glass misidentified as Steuben Aurene.
Major Lines & Types
- Gold Aurene: Iridescent gold surface resembling Tiffany Favrile, produced 1904-1930s
- Blue Aurene: Rich cobalt iridescent glass, rarer than Gold Aurene
- Verre de Soie: Translucent, silky-textured iridescent glass with a soft white sheen
- Cluthra: Bubbly, textured glass in various colors, designed to imitate ancient Roman glass
- Cintra: Colored glass with trapped decorative elements between layers
- Rosaline/Alabaster: Pink and white cased glass combinations
- Selenium Red/Rouge Flambe: Vivid red glass, technically difficult and relatively scarce
- Post-1933 Crystal: Clear optical crystal, often with copper-wheel engraving or sculptural forms
- Designer Crystal: Pieces designed by notable artists including Sidney Waugh, George Thompson, and James Houston
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Verre de Soie small vases/bowls | $75 - $300 |
| Gold Aurene vases (standard forms) | $400 - $1,500 |
| Blue Aurene vases (standard forms) | $600 - $2,500 |
| Cluthra vases | $300 - $1,200 |
| Rosaline/Alabaster pieces | $150 - $600 |
| Rouge Flambe/Selenium Red | $300 - $2,000 |
| Aurene decorated/unusual forms | $2,000 - $10,000+ |
| Post-1933 crystal (common forms) | $50 - $300 |
| Engraved crystal (Waugh designs) | $200 - $2,000 |
| Monumental/exhibition pieces | $5,000 - $50,000+ |
Condition Factors
Art glass surfaces must be examined carefully under raking light for scratches, which destroy iridescent finishes. Aurene pieces with worn or rubbed iridescence lose substantial value. Interior staining in vases from water deposits can sometimes be cleaned but may be permanent. Crystal pieces should be free of chips, scratches, and cloudiness. Engraved crystal with crisp, sharp engraving commands premiums. Ground or polished pontil marks are original and should not be confused with damage. Applied decoration (threading, prunts, handles) must be intact, as repairs are nearly impossible to hide on transparent glass.
Collecting Tips
The Carder era (1903-1932) commands the highest prices and collector interest. Blue Aurene consistently outperforms Gold Aurene at auction. Unusual forms like Jack-in-the-Pulpit vases, tyrian glass, and millefiori pieces are exceptionally rare and valuable. Post-1933 crystal offers an affordable entry point, with many elegant pieces available under $200. Signed pieces carry premiums of 20-40% over unsigned but attributed examples. Study the Carder shape number catalog to identify rare forms. The Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York, holds the definitive Carder Steuben collection for reference. Watch for Carder's experimental pieces, which occasionally surface without documentation.