Frederick Carder managed the Steuben Glass Works in Corning, New York, from its founding in 1903 until 1932. Carder began his glass making career at the British firm of Stevens and Williams where he experimented with colors and designs. At Steuben, Carder continued experimenting. The "moss agate" shade on this lamp is an example of Carder's interest in creating glass that imitates the refractive qualities of the mineral agate.