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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Pain on September 05, 2009, 06:15:18 PM

Title: What does the stamp sss denote? Is it Steuben?
Post by: Pain on September 05, 2009, 06:15:18 PM

Hello again
Here is a gorgeous amethyst and lilac flint like ashtray (another that just caught my eye).  Upon washing it I noticed an embossed stamp on the rear ever so tiny but it looks to be 3 s's in a cubed box.  Could this be Steuben?

Title: Re: What does the stamp sss denote? Is it Steuben?
Post by: nigel benson on September 05, 2009, 08:01:25 PM

Quote

Could this be Steuben?

Not a mark I've come across I'm afraid, but the style of this bowl suggests post war, so Steuben is unlikely, since their later work is usually high quality clear crystal.

Nigel

Title: Re: What does the stamp sss denote? Is it Steuben?
Post by: Pain on September 05, 2009, 08:13:48 PM

Thanks Nigel

I have emailed Steuben direct.  I have researched the net and only found one other comment and they were asking the same thing.  I was told it was Steuben but I never believe what I am told  ;D The other comment does have a pic of the mark in question but mine is too small to photo. 

Title: Re: What does the stamp sss denote? Is it Steuben?
Post by: obscurities on September 05, 2009, 09:49:02 PM

This is 100% absolutely not Steuben.

Their colored glass production stopped (for the most part) in 1932. Some special order color work was done for several years after that, but their direction was to produce clear glass in a Corning developed product referred to as 10M. Corning purchased Steuben in 1918, but Carder remained artistic director until 1932.

Steuben never produced a piece in this form. They also never produced an underside that looked that way.....

IMO the form of this piece would easily date the piece to post 1950 in which case if Steuben it would have to be clear. Their last recorded sale of colored glass by special order was in 1943.

Steuben used their name in signatures. They never used initials in place of the company name.
When they used the company name:
they used a Fleur-de-lis acid stamp with the Steuben name in it.
they used an acid stamp "STEUBEN" in block letters.
they used an engraved Steuben also.
they also used an embossed paper label which had the Fleur-de-lis with the company name.

There are other forms of signatures without their company name, such as "Aurene" with a shape number.

Hope this helps....

Personally, It has a Scandinavian feel of the 70's to me..... 

Craig



 

Title: Re: What does the stamp sss denote? Is it Steuben?
Post by: Pain on September 06, 2009, 06:41:01 AM

Thanks Craig

I did have a look at a lot of Steuben items and discovered that the coloured pieces were quite early.  Will plod on and keep researching thank you.