Topic: I'm trying to identify a 9.5" Crystal Duck

[therage]

I'm new, so I hope I'm doing this right. Any help is greatly appreciated. I have a large blue and green crystal duck. There's no markings. Looks to be submerged (submersive?). Suspect unleaded or it would be heavier. I'm not an expert. Thanks again for any help... DAVE

Dimensions: 9 1/2" x 4 1/2" wide x 4" high
Weight: 2lbs .5oz

[Paul S.]

Hello Dave - sorry you're being ignored  ...  everyone is otherwise occupied with our café debate             Welcome to the GMB by the way.

Having said that, regret I've not a clue as to the pedigree of your glass duck - doesn't ring any bells with me, but we have some members who collect hordes of these things and hopefully they might have an idea - fingers crossed.              Rosie  -  are you there??

With my little knowledge of coloured glass would suggest that your reference to 'submerged' suggests you're thinking of the Italian equivalent which is 'sommerso' - a word used, usually, to indicate a colour beneath a clear casing  -  sometimes there is more than one internal colour - and this seems to have been, rather obviously as you can imagine, an Italian decorative invention.   From what I can see of your duck, it appears not to be an example of sommerso - the colours appear solid.
I'm not aware that sommerso is related to submersive - but stand to be corrected.      Sorry, but can't tell from just looking whether your duck was made with lead oxide or not, though something approaching 2.5 lbs. seems heavy for a duck, though from the dimensions you give the model sounds large.
Have also just noticed that this bird appear to be hollow  -  is this correct.

[Anne]

Rosie might well know but she's not around for a few days just now. Hopefully she will pop in when she's back in action.

[Anne]

Have also just noticed that this bird appear to be hollow  -  is this correct.

Dave is having a problem replying (I've sent help to explain how to do so) but in the meanwhile he has said to me that the duck is solid.

[Paul S.]

thank you Anne  -  obviously I need Specsavers - again.

[therage]

It's Solid.

[Anne]

It's not easy to tell from the pics, Paul, so maybe you don't need a check just yet! 

Dave, I'm glad you are now able to post replies.

[therage]

Yeah, me too. I figured out the problem (me). This thing is a solid, giant hunk'a glass; and very deco, so I suspected it was a paperweight at one point, but it's a little big for that (unless your office is outside in Chicago). There's not much else to see. I can't imagine being able to tell something definitive about it thru some other pic from some other angle. But let me know. Thanks again ... Dave

[therage]

The closest thing I can find to it is here (this Daum piece): https://www.ebay.com/itm/DAUM-FRANCE-Crystal-Duck-Bird-Goose-Art-Glass-Sculpture-Paperweight-Apr-4-Hx11-L-/152903060411

[Paul S.]

is this deco style Dave?  ................   do we have such shaped ducks from c. 1930 for comparison.              I had a feeling that I'd also seen this shape of duck from Scandinavia in the 50s or 60s perhaps  -  but memory could be going again.               Anyway, thanks for confirming this is a solid piece.