Matsu-no-ke, a piece of History in Glass

Matsu-no-ke, history in glass, was another form of decoration of glass. Considering that it was only used from 1884 until 1922, and then only intermitently, it is a rare form of work.

Developed in 1884, at the Stevens and Williams english glass works company Matsu-no-ke was a term used for a piece, usually a vase, that was finished in the following manner.

While the, shall we say 'vase' was being shaped, and very hot,(still in a soft and pliable form), there were also other pieces of glass being formed, these would also be hot.

The smaller pieces were then applied to the 'vase' in the form of a flower, or other motife, thus melded into the 'vase'.

The final effect would be three dimensional. Pieces of trim, used around the edge, or border were of clear glass, while the 'vase' may have been frosted, or brushed, the appearance looking as though the piece of work were carved from ice. Some of the other items made in this same manner were bowls, candlesticks, glasses, and tumblers in addition to vases.

Not too much is heard about it any more, and the better examples are becoming few and far between at antique shows, however, if a person looks long enough, the reward is in the find.

The one other firm who is documented to have used this type of decoration of glass was Frederick Carder at teh Steuben Glass Works in 1922.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Return to History of Glass from Matsu-no-ke,History of Glass
Go to Home Page