Iridescent Aurene Glass Dish by Steuben

• Aurene Glass - Aurene glass is an iridescent coloured glass developed by Frederick Carder (1863-1963), while working at the Steuben Glassworks in the United States. Frederick Carder was an English glassmaker who emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. He managed the Steuben Glass Works from 1903 to 1932, including the period after it was taken over by Corning Glass in 1918. Aurene is very similar to Tiffany's favrile glass, the colour obtained by combining metal and non metal glasses, onto which a solution of stannous chloride is sprayed, giving a velvety sheen to the brown, red, gold, blue and green colours.
• Crackling and Crackle as a Decorative Technique - Crackle, also known as crackling, is a decorative technique that has been used in China for centuries. It is believed to have originated during the Song Dynasty (960?1279 AD) and was primarily used in the production of ceramics, lacquerware, and furniture. The crackling effect was achieved by applying a glaze or lacquer that was formulated to crack during firing, creating a crackled pattern on the surface of the item.
  
  During the Ming Dynasty (1368?1644 AD), crackle became a highly sought-after decorative technique, and it was used to create intricate and beautiful designs on ceramics and lacquer ware.
  
  In Western decorative arts, crackle / crackling came into use during the Art Nouveau movement in the late 19th and early 20th century. The crackling effect was used to create a sense of movement and fluidity in the design of Art Nouveau pieces.
  
  It was also used in the 1920s and 1930s during the Art Deco movement.
• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Pontil Mark - A pontil mark, also known as a pontil scar, is a distinctive mark or scar found on the base of certain types of glass. It is a remnant of the glassblowing process and is particularly associated with handcrafted items made prior to the widespread use of automated manufacturing.
  
  The pontil mark is created during the final stages of production. After the glassblower has shaped and formed the glass object, it is removed from the blowing iron. At this point, the glass object is often attached to a solid rod called a pontil rod or punty for further shaping, finishing, or attaching additional components. The attachment point is typically at the base of the object.
  
  Once the glass item is complete, it is detached from the pontil rod, leaving behind a mark or scar on the base. This mark can take various forms, such as a rough or irregular surface, a concave or slightly recessed area, or a small circular scar. The presence of a pontil mark indicates that the item was handcrafted rather than mass-produced.
  
  Collectors and historians often use pontil marks as clues to determine the age, authenticity, and production methods of glass or ceramic pieces. Different types of pontil marks may suggest different techniques used in the production process. For example, an open pontil mark is one where the scar is left as an exposed, roughened area, while a closed pontil mark occurs when the scar is smoothed or covered in some way. It's important to note that not all handcrafted glass items have pontil marks, as some artisans developed alternative methods for finishing their work. In Edwardian times the pontil mark was oftern ground off leaving a concave circle in the centre of the base of the object.
  
  The use of pontil marks diminished with the advent of industrialization and automated manufacturing processes in the 19th and 20th centuries.
  
  

• Decor Bois - "Decor bois" is a French term that translates to "wood decor" in English. It refers to decorative elements painted on porcelain items that simulate decorations in timber, such as carvings.
• Irridescent Glass - Iridescent glass has a shimmering or rainbow-like appearance due to the way it reflects light. It is created by applying a thin layer of metal oxides to the surface of the glass while it is still hot and malleable, which then creates an interference effect that produces a range of colours as the light reflects off the surface. The exact colours and patterns created by iridescent glass depend on the specific types of metal oxides used and the techniques used to apply them.
  
  Iridescent glass was first developed in the late 19th century, and quickly became popular for use in decorative art glass and stained glass windows. Some of the most famous examples of iridescent glass were created by artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studio, who used it extensively in their distinctive lamps, vases, and other decorative objects.
  
  

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Steuben Glass Works (United States) - glass makers 26