Cambridge Decorated Nudes

by David & Joy McFadden, Frank & Vicki Wollenhaupt
Glass Review - February 1978

If you prefer the unusual, Cambridge can offer you several decorations and special treatments on the nude stem.

Silver decorated Nudes Probably the most easily found by the collector, would be the two sizes of the Crown Tuscan nude stem comports with a "Charleton" decoration. These decorations were usually hand-painted floral designs with gold accents. Charleton is the name of the decorating company which applied this decoration to Cambridge Crown Tuscan glassware.

Another type of decoration was applied to Cambridge glass by the Rockwell Silver Company. This is sterling silver overlay applied to the glass. (See photo at right). Shown in the photo are the three known types of Silver decoration. It should be noted that the body is usually satin finished, however the bowl and foot may or may not be satin finished. The majority of these silver decorated nudes have been found with the Rockwell acid stamp signature, and this is found on the underside of the foot. The Rockwell signature is a shield with the name Rockwell on the inside of the shield. The word "Sterling" frequently Crackle Nude goblet appears on some part of the silver decoration. Although the photo shows only the claret, silver decoration has also been found on the table goblet and the saucer champagne. This silver decoration should be considered among the more rare decorations and should command a high price.

One of the more sought after nude stem treatments that was done by the Cambridge Glass Company is commonly called "crackle glass." (Photo at left) As you will note from the photo, only the bowl of the goblet has the crackle effect According to an original 1956 Cambridge Glass Price List, crackle bowls could be found on table goblets, sherbets Etched Nude ashtray (saucer champagnes), and the 3011/9 cocktail. They were offered in the following colors: Smoke, Pink, Mandarin Gold, Moonlight Blue and Pistachio. It is accepted knowledge, but unverifiable among Cambridge collectors, that Cambridge Glass Company made crackle glass on nudes, probably in the 1940s. The crackle bowl was Carmen in color. These have been found in the following sizes: table goblet, saucer champagne and claret. The crackle effect on the nude stem is scarce, probably due to a high amount of breakage during production and the price should reflect this.

Etchings were mentioned in last month's article, but Cambridge also encrusted their etchings with gold. To date, nude stem items with etchings encrusted with gold have not been seen in drinking vessels, but it is assumed that they were produced. The nude stem ashtray (photo at right) has a Carmen ashtray with a crystal nude stem and foot. The Portia etching, which appears on the foot, is encrusted with gold. There is a line of gold around the rim of the foot and the ashtray is also trimmed with a gold line and gold in the cigarette rests.

The Cambridge Glass Company did another very simple treatment to the nude stem with gold or platinum. A single line of the gold or platinum has been seen applied around the rim of the bowl and/or on the rim of the foot. This type of decoration has been seen on dark green table goblets and saucer champagnes.