Steuben Glass closes after 108 years

The quality of the company's design, a top priority for the firm since its founding in 1903, had deteriorated, says glass dealer Jeffrey Purtell.

"I think the last ten years, a lot of the designs were an embarrassment and they certainly don't compare to the wonderful pieces from the '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s," says Purtell.

The company had tried to change with the times, bringing in young marketing consultants, but according to Purtell:

"They had no clue what they were doing."

Dealer and collector David Goldstein concurs: He says Steuben lost its place as a highly desired status symbol.

"The younger people want function, they want something you can use and put in the dishwasher. You can't do that with fine crystal," says Goldstein.

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