Steuben Glass Mushroom Toadstool w/ 18 K Gold butterfly

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Steuben Glass Mushroom Toadstool w/ 18 K Gold butterfly

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Sold Date: 09/27/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Glass

Up for your consideration is this absolutely beautiful Steuben glass mushroom, molded as a toadstool with polka dots. These dots are actually perfectly placed air bubbles immersed within the glass, thus adding a surreal look to the mushroom dome. The stem is round and tapers outwards slightly towards the base (without polka dots). The piece is signed "Steuben" under the mushroom stem (visible in one of the pictures). Resting off center on the mushroom dome is a perfectly shaped, dainty butterfly - wings spread open - all in brilliant 18 carrot gold, and also clearly marked "18 K Steuben" on the outer wingtip.

T are no scratches or chips of any kind in this extraordinary piece. The toadstool measures 4" high, 3 3/8" across the dome, and 1 ¾" across the widest part of the stem. The gold butterfly measures 2" from wingtip to wingtip, and 1 ½" from anterior to posterior.

For more information on the Steuben company history and the process behind their craftsmanship process, go to their official website at /index.cfm . As stated on the main page of the official Steuben website:

"Since 1903, Steuben Glass has been made by hand at our Corning , New York factory. Our unique glass is made from an outstanding optical formula. Steuben's state-of-the-art melting ensures glass that is exceptionally pure and free of even the tiniest visual imperfections. Our skilled artisans work in teams around reheating ovens called glory holes, directed by a master "gaffer." Each gather of molten glass is carried from tank to glory hole, w it is formed "at the fire" with blowpipes, pontil rods, shears, calipers, and other tools little changed over centuries. Finished pieces are slowly cooled in annealing ovens, then cut, polished, and engraved by hand. Each example is minutely inspected before it is signed with a diamond-tipped pen. Imperfect items are destroyed. T are no seconds at Steuben."

I have seen quite a few Steuben glass pieces on E-bay, but only one glass mushroom signed Steuben, and never one with an 18 carrot gold butterfly, also marked Steuben. This is certainly a very rare and highly desirable piece of art and would undoubtedly make for a wonderful display piece in any room.

Please examine the photographs up close. It was difficult to get clear close-ups of the Steuben marks on the glass stem as well as on the butterfly wingtip. If you need additional photographs to include different angles, I will be happy to re-shoot and send them to you.

Enjoy!