Topic: Art glass mermaid enclosed in a bottle~help!

[adriana]

Hello one & all~
I found this last weekend, and I think it's a glass mermaid that was blown (or something, probably not the correct terminology) through the bottom of this bottle.  The blue liquid was in there, and initially I thought that someone had added the liquid, but now I'm not so sure.  The top of the bottle appears to have been sealed with glass.  There are no marks anywhere.  The bottle itself is 9 1/2" tall, and it probably had a stopper or lid of some sort.  The mermaid is about 5 1/2" tall. I do have more pictures if necessary. I'm stumped, and googling hasn't helped, so I thank you in advance!

PS I apologize if I'm not adding pictures correctly; I'm not on the computer where they are stored at the moment.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/3/7/2/3/0/webimg/518932684_o.jpg

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/3/7/2/3/0/webimg/518932675_o.jpg

[Frank]

Can add images of top, base and full piece please.

[adriana]

Certainly!  Again, sorry for the links.

Entire piece:
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/3/7/2/3/0/webimg/518932645_o.jpg

Top, looking down:
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/3/7/2/3/0/webimg/518932661_o.jpg

Actual bottom and close up of where she's attached:
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/3/7/2/3/0/webimg/518932734_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/3/7/2/3/0/webimg/518932701_o.jpg

[Ivo]

I have come across similar before and ttbomk these are Italian grappa bottles. There is a complete industry producing these from prefab glass rods, usually they have bunches of grapes, cherries, apples etc.  To indicate the contents. But weirder things - christmas trees, high heels and now mermaids - have been seen. I believe these are in business since the 1980s.

[Ivo]

pics

[Nemmie]

Not sure it is a mermaid. She seems to have legs.

[rosieposie]

I think what appears to be another leg is the stalk that attaches her to the base.....but not certain.

[Frank]

Yes it is a mermaid attached to a post. But as this has a glass sealed top not likely a Grappa bottle...as it cannot be drunk. Perhaps inspired by them though.

[adriana]

Hello again~
Thank you for replies so far.  Yes, definitely a mermaid, and what looks like a leg is how she's attached.  The sealed top is what would confuse me about the possibility of it being a liquor bottle.  And my mermaid is much more exquisite than the items in the grappa bottles above.  I am stumped on this one.  I just wish I could figure out who made it.

[Ivo]

Exquisite as a criterium - there's clever!