Topic: Clear and heavy glass cat

[SantaR]

Hello all!

I have this glass cat sitting upright.  I have scoured the net and this is what I came up with: that it isn't Steuben - shame.  That the way the head is attached to the body looks Murano (Nason) but my cat is completely clear.  The base has a pontil mark, the face only has eyes (I think my photos show a nose and mouth but that is really not the case in real life) and the ears face sideways not front to back. It is very heavy and 15cm tall.

I think it's a long shot but I would welcome input.

Many thanks!

Santa

[chopin-liszt]

It is very nicely modelled. 

There are some lovely clear glass animals coming from Africa now, I don't know very much about this field, and cannot remember the name of the maker - but I'm sure somebody else will - and be able to confirm if your puss is by them.

[SantaR]

Thanks Sue, do you mean Ngwenya glass?  I had a look through and couldn't find any cats and mine seems older and is completely clear rather than recycled. 

Another point that might be pertinent to my original post is that I live in Northern California and I find a lot of Italian, Scandi and Czech glass which apparently was imported (rather than people going on their holidays).  But many thanks for your reply and yes, he/she does seem to be well modeled and doesn't scare the life out of my dog, unlike the real neighbourhood cats!

[rosieposie]

Hello Santa,
I think your lovely clear glass cat could possibly be made by Rainbow Art Glass in USA

Here is a link that shows an amber one with a label and a clear one as well.

 http://retroartglass.com/store/item/qiln/View_All_Vintage_Glass/Amber_Art_Glass_Cat_Figurine_With_Rainbow_Label.html

I will keep looking just in case this is incorrect,  but it looks very similar to yours and given they are  hot worked and not moulded,  then no two will be identical. 

[SantaR]

You got it Rosie!  Many thanks!

[Ohio]

These cats & many other hand blown animals were all blown by a group of freelance WV blowers who yearly traveled to Rainbow, Viking, Kanawha & a few times Tiffin & there are all the same, dogs, cats, whales, mice, fish, squirrels, etc.

[SantaR]

How very interesting - a band of traveling glassblowers.  I hope they were paid expenses.  What does the WV stand for Ohio?

[Ohio]

WV = West Virginia.