Topic: It`s a conumderum or just a caterpillar?

[Trebor]

Hi , to day i called in to a charity shop and pick this up it was advertised as being a glass caterpillar. This i thought unlikely as it only as two legs and the eyes where two dabs of paint. It is a sealed unit apart from a small hole near the two supposed ear`s. I think it must be for use in a lab ? Height 162,mm Length 296,mm .Do you think £1 was to much?  Than you

[Ivo]

Nope, just right. It is indeed a caterpillar, made by an Italian lampworker. I have one as well, in a box with a dozen or so other lampworked animals. There is a sticker, I could look tomorrow... if you want me to.

[Trebor]

Well who would of believed it . Thank you Ivo ,are they old or not

[Ivo]

no not old - otherwise the whole club (frog, polar bear, goldfish, caterpillar etc etc) might not have survived unscathed.

The transparent plastic sticker says

HANDMADE PYREX
C.CANGINI
CESENA - ITALY


(Whenever anyone enquires after my star sign, I always say I'm a Pyrex)

[Ivo]

they have no website, it seems.

[Trebor]

 Hi Ivo  ,So there is never two the same. Well thank you for the pic`s but  i think this one will be going back to the charity shop . Sill learning :or:

[chopin-liszt]

I am wondering if it was perhaps a scientific glassblower who made these, they certainly show the some of the skills needed for scientific instruments, although they are far more simple.
(I know Fritz Akerboom was a scientific glassblower professionally, but he is also a glass artist of considerable skill.)

[Ivo]

This is an industry which does lampwork, ranging from labware to frivolities. I think all lampworkers do. You don't want to do stills and autoclaves and syphons all day... And once you have the gas flame on and the pyrex tubes handy, anything might happen.

[Trebor]

 I know what your saying but don't think these lads see a lot of caterpillars :t: