Duncan's Diamond Pattern

by Gail Krause
Glass Review - January 1982

Duncan Ad Several of our collectors have written me concerning the pattern Diamond and the color Sienna.

The Diamond pattern was first designed to commemorate the company's 75 years in business. It was inspired by the period of elegant living in the South before the Civil War. They wished to recapture the era complete with glittering crystal candelabrum and beautiful tables set with fine china and crystal. George Duncan began his career in glass in 1865 and this may have been a contributing factor.

The pattern was introduced first by Charles Reizenstein of Plttsburg and became one of the leading patterns. Produced in a wide array of decorative articles as well as stemware and tableware, it was chosen well for the company's special occasion. The pattern has a double row of diamond shapes radiating from the center and has eight rounded scallops around the edge of the plates and bowls. It was made in both crystal and the color Sienna, which was described in the catalog as "a new decorater color with the soft glow of a summer sunset". The Sienna color was billed as inspired from The Palette of The "Master Painters".

Crystal was made in pressed as well as hand-blown steinware. The bowls of the stemware are in color while the foot is crystal. Plates, relish trays, nappies, candy boxes, flower bowls and candlesticks come in the solid Sienna color.

Some of the items produced in both clear and color are illustrated here.

 

 

Diamond Pattern