DESCRIPTION: Steuben faceted crystal paperweight style cologne bottle with pink to blue shaded controlled Cintra internal decoration and controlled bubbles. c. 1927-31. Factory records call this a tall cologne originally retailed at $37.50.
Clear cased, deep cut lead glass with bubbles with clear stopper.
Shape # 6687 p. 242 Paul V. Gardner book.
Reference:
Pictured p. 58 of Objects of Desire: The Art of Frederick Carder by Alan Shovers.
Shown on the cover of Vanity Vessels: The Story of the American Perfume Bottle by Gay LeCleire Taylor in a publication produced by the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Village in Millville, NJ for an exhibit held on April 10 through October 24, 1999. At p. 6 the author states: No two designs better illustrate the new Deco trends than the Cintra cologne bottles made by the Steuben Glass Works (cover:3) and Ruba Rombic.
Shown in 1932 Steuben Catalogue at plate V. See, p. 315 in The Glass of Frederick Carder by Paul V. Gardner.
Shape in Cluthra shown at Fig. 6.34 p. 147 of Frederick Carder and Steuben Glass by Thomas P. Dimitroff. In figure 6.11 p. 140 the author states: Paperweight cologne is the term collectors have applied to these heavy bottles. It was not a term officially used at the time of production. They are also sometimes referred to as Cintra colognes, although many actually have a core of Cluthra glass rather than Cintra.
Color combination shown at Plate XVII, A shown in The Glass of Frederick Carder by Paul V. Gardner. The description states: The heavy crystal casing encloses controlled bubbles.
Color combination shown in a full page plate in a different shape at p. 54 of Steuben Glass An American Tradition in Crystal by Mary Jean Madigan.
Color combination also seen in Paper-Weight bottles in The Fieldstone Porch Presents Creations by Carder of Steuben His American Art Glass.
In plate Number 45 of Collector’s Choice Review on a paperweight cologne the author states: Despite his acknowledge disdain for the Art Deco style, Frederick Carder was fully aware of this trend and did indeed produce some forms and decoration in this style (Venetian). Outstanding among them, and in marked contrast to his delicate Venetian-style glass, was a series of massive, boldly cut cologne bottles more sculptural than utilitarian usually referred to today by collectors as Paperweight Colognes (Gardner line drawings 6687, 6707-8, 6712, 6916-7, 6941-2, 6944-45.
His inspiration for these pieces was most likely the massive individual pieces created by Maurice Marinot as one of Europe's most outstanding glass makers. Each example of Carders massive colognes made of brilliant colorless lead glass incorporates different colors, ranging from light green to deep brilliant blue often accompanied by irregular bubbly glass like Cintra(as found in some Marinot pieces) or by a controlled pattern of bubbles formed of air traps. Other colored glasses are enclosed with mica flecks and patterns of opaque white cane. All are enhanced by the broad, bold cutting that defines each final form.
The massive cologne bottle shown here is expressive of Carders ability to adapt techniques inspired by the work of other artists and glass makers to create a new, distinctive form and type of decoration by imaginatively combining these various elements in an unusual and distinctive manner. These sculptured colognes are outstanding examples of American glass in the Art Deco style.
Color combination shown at p. 51 of Steuben Seventy Years of American Glassmaking by Perrot, Gardner, Plaut. At p. 54, The vibrant pinks and blues in the Cintra glass center of this massive cologne bottle are partially veiled by the network of controlled bubbles and enhanced by the depth of the crystal casing. Broad panel and facet cuttings on the outer surface create a prismatic illusion which is heightened by a kaleidoscopic play of colors as the piece is viewed from various angles. Very few of these bottles were produced, all differ in form, the color of the Cintra core, the pattern of the included bubbles, and type of surface cutting. This piece is probably unique.
In The Complete Cut and Engraved Glass of Corning by Estelle F. Sinclaire and Jane Shadel Spillman 198, the authors state: Cutting-as-shaping distinguishes a group of paper-weight cologne bottles and vases made in the 1920s. Though enclosed color gives them much of their charm, deep channel cuts add a new drama to their shapes. At fig. 549, p. 194 a cut paperweight cologne is shown.
Provenance:
Estate of Mr. and Ms. Alan Shovers
Acquired 9/15/02 from Thomas P. Dimitroff of Corning, NY
CIRCA:1927-1931
DIMENSIONS: H:10.5" and 4" in diameter
CONDITION: Good condition exterior. Has chip along stem of stopper. Normal signs of age. More detailed condition requests can be obtained via email (info@akibaantiques.com) or SMS 305-332-9274. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Akiba Antiques shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.