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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Animals & Figurines => Topic started by: Anik R on April 07, 2011, 12:10:13 PM

Title: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Anik R on April 07, 2011, 12:10:13 PM
I have an elephant made of a very thin glass which is 9cm tall and 10cm wide.  The end of its trunk is open.  The only coloured bits are the tusks, which are as sharp as needles, and the tiny eyes. 

I find it a rather strange object, mainly because of the thinness of the glass and its see-throughness -- I can't decide whether I like it or hate it.  :usd:

Any ideas about the maker or country of origin?  Thank you...
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Frank on April 25, 2011, 12:39:19 AM
Almost certainly the work of a scientific glass blower so it is probably possible to find out who made it through one of their organisations. Start close to home...

some links here http://www.bssg.co.uk/www.htm
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Anik R on April 26, 2011, 03:51:06 PM
Frank, my sincerest thanks for your reply.

But one little question... why do you feel it's most probably the work of a scientific glassblower?  Very interesting...  :hi:
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Frank on April 26, 2011, 03:59:34 PM
I doubt anyone without scientific glass-blowing training could make it, it would take a lot of skill beyond the average lampworker. They are a fairly rare breed so tracking down maker should be feasible.
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Anik R on April 26, 2011, 04:11:48 PM
Once again, thank you, Frank.  Even before your first post, I decided that I do very much like the elephant because it's so different from any other glass animal I've seen.  I'll take a look at your link and see what I can find.   :kissy:
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Frank on April 26, 2011, 04:55:05 PM
If you cannot find an organisation in Poland, ask the English society. They provide accreditation to glass-blowers around the world and would probably know where to look in Poland. Universities are frequently the place to find working glassblowers, particularly if they have chemistry or engineering departments.
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Nemmie on April 26, 2011, 05:40:02 PM
I can't help with who made this elephant but I can be sure they made more than one of them. :)



Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Frank on April 26, 2011, 06:34:38 PM
Yours is very different and could be made by any lampworker.
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: rosieposie on June 21, 2011, 03:01:55 PM
Hi Anik  :hi: Well you know I have been a trifle preoccupied lately, but not so much that I didn't spot this one.....have you seen it??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOVELY-CLEAR-GLASS-ELEPHANT-JUST-LIKE-LIGHT-BULB-GLASS-/310324448237?pt=UK_Collectables_AnimalCollectables_SM&hash=item4840c74bed

Not a lot of info, but good to see another one!!
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Anik R on June 21, 2011, 03:11:16 PM
Thank you, Rosie...  :kissy:

I very rarely look at ebay, so I did not see 'my' elephant.  You're right in saying there isn't much information provided, but I see the seller is also quite taken with the lightness and thinness of the glass. 

I have to admit, I still haven't followed Frank's very clever suggestion... but I will...  soon.  :pb:
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: chopin-liszt on June 21, 2011, 03:13:16 PM
Not just chemistry and engineering departments in unis, Frank - you'll find glassblowers probably spend most of their time on the biochemical sciences' bits and bobs!
So hospitals with reseach and teaching facilities should be included with unis.

(I can remember taking boxes of broken bits to the glassblower.)
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Anik R on January 12, 2017, 05:32:58 PM
Some interesting information regarding the elephant was shared by Coupsdestylo in another thread:   here (http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,47544.msg267550.html#msg267550).

It appears it's a small bottle used by Mampe.

 :)
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Frank on May 18, 2017, 02:47:48 AM
Could be a bottle, but again they were made differently
http://glasszoo.info/cms/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=285&virtuemart_category_id=89&Itemid=3&lang=en (http://glasszoo.info/cms/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=285&virtuemart_category_id=89&Itemid=3&lang=en)
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Anik R on May 18, 2017, 03:56:49 AM
There were other styles of Mampe elephant bottles:   Mampe bottle library (http://www.minibottlelibrary.com/mbl/alpha/mampe/)   :)
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Coupsdestylo on May 18, 2017, 06:17:03 AM
When I contacted the museum they were unaware of the maker but did mention there was also a racing car bottle made, but they don't have one.
Frank you are right a trained scientific glassblower.
D
Title: Re: Very thin glass hollow elephant... a bit strange
Post by: Frank on May 19, 2017, 12:01:14 AM
That web site is brilliant Anik! Might get to ID a few more in the zoo now :)