Steuben Design: A Legacy of Light and Form [Hardcover]

M. J. Madigan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2004

For one hundred years Steuben has represented the epitome of American crystal - internationally acclaimed, a gift of presidents and treasured possession of collectors. But not everyone who can afford to buy Steuben crystal intuitively appreciates its quality, history, and inherent value. Steuben Glass: A Legacy to Share dispels the mystery and introduces in compelling words and striking images the colorful history, artisanship, quality, and enduring value infused in every piece of Steuben glass. Images tell the Steuben story in this volume: vintage photographs reveal its history; journalistic shots chronicle the painstaking process of designing, forming, finishing, and engraving a piece of Steuben by hand; and still-life images present the sculptural beauty of current master works. New photographs commissioned especially for this book, historical photography from Steuben's vast archive, and brief introductory texts and extended captions are seamlessly integrated through an innovative, sophisticated design to reflect Steuben's new, forward-looking approach as it launches into its second century.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The current popular resurgence of mid-20th century design presents Steuben with an opportunity to draw in a younger, design-conscious audience, and everything about this book should appeal to those readers. The volume uses artful photographs, beautiful layout and a compelling, if brief, historical narrative to make a case for Steuben pieces as iconic design objects. Steuben craftsmen use methods of production—such as catching a "gather" of molten glass in a metal cup, shaping it at the end of a blowpipe and polishing the cold piece—that are similar to those used by glassmakers for centuries. But the use of "computer-fed melting tanks have refined the ancient process" so that Steuben glass attains an "extraordinary purity and brilliance." It is this prized clarity, as well as the craftsmen’s skill at flowing shapes and detailed engraving, that have led every U.S. president since 1947 to chose a piece of Steuben crystal for an American gift of state. Photos show figures such as Martin Luther King, Queen Elizabeth and Jacqueline Kennedy receiving gifts of Steuben. While ceremonial objects such as these are, of course, inaccessible to most collectors, the book also offers examples of more modest pieces, and a short section, "Collecting Vintage Steuben," offers practical advice on acquiring Steuben glass. Running through the entire book is a beautiful photo study of Steuben form by photographer Jay Zukerkorn. 120 illustrations, 46 in full-color.
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About the Author

Mary Jean Madigan has been a writer and editor for twenty-five years, focusing on decorative arts and design. Over the years, she has served as editor in chief of Art & Antiques, Hospitality Design (where she was also publisher), and Interiors magazines, and she is currently New York editor for Visual Merchandising + Store Design. She writes for a number of design-related publications and has authored or edited several books for collectors including Early American Furniture, American Folk and Decorative Art, and Steuben Glass: An American Tradition in Crystal. Her background in American history has led her into museum work, restoration activities, exhibitions, antiques collecting, lecturing, and advising, and she has served as technical consultant to the New York State Council on the Arts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First Edition edition (June 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810946459
• ISBN-13: 978-0810946453
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Showcases Steuben's colorful and complex history, September 9, 2004

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steuben Design: A Legacy of Light and Form (Hardcover)

Steuben glassware has been justifiably acclaimed as the pinnacle of the American glassmaker's art for the past hundred years. Steuben Design: A Legacy Of Light And Form by Mary Jean Madigan showcases Steuben's colorful and complex history, internationally recognized artisanship, and demonstrably uncompromised standards of production quality. Profusely illustrated with 120 illustrations (46 in full color) Steuben Design combines vintage photography and a journalistic approach to chronicling the painstaking process of designing, forming, finishing, and engraving a piece of Steuben glassware. Enhanced for the reader with introductory texts and extended captions, Steuben Design is a welcome and recommended addition to any glassware connoisseur's personal collection and would make a popular addition to academic and community library American Art History reference collections as well.