Topic: Whose hedgehog is this?

[neil53]

Not a phrase that I ever thought I would use.

I picked up this beast of a paperweight at an auction recently and am having difficulty in identifying the artist.  It is signed "M Jankin" or "M Jankiv" (see the picture of the signature), I can't tell which.

Any pointers as to where I should look would be appreciated.

Neil

[Lustrousstone]

Janku I believe. http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,50007.msg282639.html

[neil53]

Thanks Christine, I hadn't realised that your knowledge extended to the paperweights as well.  Much appreciated!

Neil

[Lustrousstone]

Only a bit and the purists would argue that he was not a paperweight. I do read everything on the board though and some of it sticks

[rosieposie]

Christine is absolutely spot on there Neil53.

I have one in Neodymium , and surprisingly, another with a Bleikristall label which I think is genuine enough in your colourway. 
But the M. Janku is Zelezney Brod.

Here are some pictures of each.  The Bleikristall has no signature,  just a label,  but is so like the ZBS one, I wonder if
M. Janku  worked there for a while??

You may point it in my direction if you ever want to sell it Neil53.....one can't have too many hedgehogs!!

[Lustrousstone]

Neubert Bleikristall is German though. A quick Google doesn't reveal anything about the company, so perhaps a retailer or wholesaler

[rosieposie]

That hadn't even occurred to me Christine... do you think that means my Hedgehog might be a ZBS piece then?

[Lustrousstone]

Depends how identical they are. Can't tell from photos

[rosieposie]

Hi Christine, apart from mine having no signature,  I would say they were close enough as hand made pieces can be.... I will be posting pictures of my Janku collection soon,  but not sure I can include this one yet....I will try to get some better pictures....who knows Neil53,  we may have twins! 

[Anik R]

Rosie, I think both are 100% Miloslav Janku for ZBS.  Not all his pieces were signed (I've got 7 of his fish and a seal, and not one bears his name).  I'd say the label is an importer's label, as Christine suggested.

All three hedgehogs are lovely.