Trumpeting Elephant by James Houston for Steuben Glass

Steuben Glass & 18K Gold “Trout & Fly” by James Houston, Introduced 1966 American, Steuben Glass Works, Corning, New York Crystal and 18k Gold • Signed • H. 8 in. × W. 6.5 in. × D. 2 in. A masterwork of American glass artistry, this signed Steuben crystal sculpture, “Trout & Fly,” was designed by James Houston and first introduced in 1966. Houston, one of Steuben’s most celebrated designers, was widely known for his wildlife studies in glass, many inspired by his time in the Canadian Arctic and his reverence for the natural world. The sculpture depicts a trout captured in a moment of suspended motion, arcing upward from stylized swirling water in pursuit of an exquisitely detailed 18k gold mayfly. The insect, mounted on a fine wire stem, hovers delicately at the fish’s open mouth, completing the narrative of predator and prey. Techniques & Materials Steuben Crystal: Hand-blown, optically pure crystal, polished to a flawless surface. Steuben’s proprietary formula, developed in the early 20th century, is distinguished by its extraordinary clarity and brilliance. Controlled Bubble Inclusions: The fish’s body is decorated with perfectly placed air bubbles, achieved through expert manipulation of molten glass. These bubbles evoke the shimmer of scales and the sparkle of water. Cold-Polished Detailing: Fin edges, mouth, and wave-like base are sharply defined through precise polishing, heightening the sense of motion. 18k Gold Mayfly: The hand-wrought gold insect is finely chased to suggest delicate wings and naturalistic form, providing a striking contrast to the crystal’s transparency. Designer: James Houston (1921–2005) Houston joined Steuben in 1952 and became one of its leading designers, bringing a lyrical naturalism to the company’s repertoire. His works—including Arctic wildlife, fish, and avian studies—are considered icons of mid-20th-century American glass design. The “Trout & Fly” exemplifies Houston’s hallmark blend of simplicity, symbolism, and technical virtuosity. Introduced in 1966 (Steuben design no. 1002-ST). This example bears the engraved Steuben signature at the base. The composition celebrates the vitality of nature and the drama of survival. The trout, emblematic of strength and perseverance, leaps toward a fleeting mayfly—an insect long associated with the fragility and transience of life. Together, they capture a timeless moment of balance in the natural cycle. Steuben crystal animal...

A fine Steuben art glass model of a trout just caught by an 18 karat gold fly. Designed by James Houston in 1966. Model No. 2011. Simply a wonderful figural sculpture of th...

American Mid-Century Steuben clear glass small figure of an elephant (AS IS-CHIP TO EAR)

Steuben 18-karat gold owl on crystal column designed by James Houston having its original fitted red leather case. Engraved "Steuben," circa 1974.

Vintage Steuben glass elephant sculpture with an upward trunk. This good luck piece is a welcome addition to any collection.

American Mid-Century Steuben clear glass small figure of a penguin

American Mid-Century Steuben clear glass small figure of an American eagle

This Steuben sculpture, titled Arcus, was designed in 1977 by British sculptor and designer Peter Aldridge (b.1947). Aldridge was graduated with distinction from London's Royal College of Art and worked as artist-in-residence at Steuben in 1977. A recipient of Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts, Aldridge went on to be appointed Steuben's Vice President and Creative Director. Aldridge began working as CEO of Scotland's prestigious North Lands Creative Glass center in 2007 before returning to New York in 2010, and currently serves on Steuben's Board of Trustees. His works are held in the permanent collections of London's Victoria Albert Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass among other notable museums, and are also in private collections throughout the world. This striking geometric Aldridge sculpture has been given design number 0217 and is made from cast, cut and polished lead glass. The angular piece has a multifaceted construction consisting of a series of triangles, squares and rectangles which have been expertly cut and polished. The piece was included as one of a select number of nonjuried designs in the 1984 exhibition "50 Years on 5th - A Retrospective Exhibition of Steuben Glass." It is also worthy of note that an engraved version of this crystal sculpture titled "Peace Crystal" was given to late President Anwar El Sadat and late Prime Minister Menachem Begin...

This is an iconic pair of Steuben glass vases in the "Bouquet" Trumpet Vase form. This is the middle size of the "Bouquet". The vases were designed by Steuben premier designer Georg...

A rare crystal lion paperweight / hand cooler by Tal Lebel Schaefer for Steuben Glassworks, circa 2000s. The piece is in very good condition with no c...