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ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

Animals in Glass

lass is a wonderful medium because it art glass production in the world – one of the
is so versatile. It is used to make every- only areas for such glass production until the
Gday items ranging from tableware to 16th century. By that time, glassworking
windows. For a collector, glass is a great focal secrets had begun to leak out to other
point because there are so many wonderful countries. As you might imagine, for several
artists who work with the medium, past centuries the glass producers of the Murano
and present. One of the most fun and diverse Islands have churned out many works of art,
categories of glass collectibles is animal including various Murano glass animals. The
figurines. Let’s take a peek at why they are so earliest pieces are the most prized since no two
popular, the top types, and how you can start pieces were alike. Today, that is not always the Cambridge Glass Bulldog Pencil Holder
collecting them yourself. case. However, even modern Murano glass
animals are beautiful additions to any glass Unlike Westmoreland, Cambridge glass was
The History of Glass Animals animal collection. known for its colorful art glass pieces. Those
There is some debate as to when the produced in the 1920s were especially popular.
first glass animal figures were produced since Fenton Glass Animals Pieces made in the later part of the decade were
several ancient cultures placed a lot of empha- Fenton is a glass company founded in Ohio clear, while earlier pieces were primarily
sis on animals and their personality, interesting in 1905. Since then, the glass animals opaque. Throughout its time in business,
traits, and mythical powers. Many of them produced by Fenton Cambridge produced several animal figurines.
incorporated animals into works ranging from have seemingly taken Their glass swans were and still are particularly
cave drawings to glass vessels and jewelry. on lives of their own. popular. Many Cambridge pieces were purely
Groups known for their works featuring They are among the decorative, but some had additional purposes.
animals include the Egyptians and the Syrians. most collected of all One of the most fun pieces to collect today is
In fact, it was the ancient Syrians who invented Fenton pieces. For the bulldog pencil holder. It was produced in
glassblowing. The introduction of the practice example, glass animal different colors, including clear, blue, green,
of glassblowing expanded methods for the pieces produced for and red.
creation of glass animal figures and other glass Fenton in the 1980s More Art Glass Animal Options
items. Today, glass blowing is a huge industry by Delmer Stowasser There are many companies, locations, and
all over the world. Skilled artisans use glass- included whales and individuals known for art glass production that
blowing techniques to not only produce glass elephants. Some of Fenton red glass cat are not on the list above. That is one of the
animals, but also other items, such as glass those pieces routinely things that makes collecting art glass animals
flowers and holiday ornaments. Larger items sell today for around $300 each. so much fun. You can find them practically
like vases and bottles have also historically anywhere. More big names in art glass animals
been made frequently using glass-blowing Westmoreland Glass Animals to watch for include: New Martinsville, Paden
techniques.
The Westmoreland company was founded City, Heisey, and Imperial.
in Grapeville, Pennsylvania in 1889. The It is also worth noting that certain events
Popular Companies Known for
Producing Glass Animals company stayed in busi- in history have shaped the availability and
ness for almost 100 years,
monetary values of some art glass animal
There are many companies and geographic
areas known for producing glass animals over finally shutting down in figures. The occupation of Japan after World
War II from 1945 to 1952 was such an event.
1984 after it changed
the years. Sometimes, those animals are easily ownership a few times Many collectors love items produced in Japan
recognizable. In other instances, they can be a during that period. during that period, including glass animals. As
little harder to identify. However, there are Westmoreland was known a result, their values are sometimes quite high.
glass collection catalogs and online resources for its production of milk
that can help. Below are brief overviews of glass, which is so named Starting an Art Glass Animal Collection
some of those top sources for collectible art due to its opaque white, There are many ways to start an art glass
glass animal figures.
milk-like appearance. As a animal collection. You could focus on glass
result, it is often easy to pieces produced in a certain area, by a certain
Murano Glass Animals identify Westmoreland
Murano is an island area in Venice, Italy. Westmoreland company, or in a certain period. Alternatively,
Residents of the Murano Islands began glass animals simply by Rooster you could opt to collect glass animal figures
their white appearance.
perfecting their glassworking techniques as Many Westmoreland pieces are marked, but that are a certain color or depict a certain type
early as the 13th century. The area has since the company did go through a few periods of animal, such as a dog or an elephant. Or if
become known as one of the leading areas for you want to go a bit more into the world of
when they did not mark the pieces. Most fantasy, you can look for zoomorphic examples
notably, Westmoreland animals and other such as a griffin, unicorn, or two-headed beasts
items made from 1920 to 1950 were typically that can be ancient or modern.
unmarked. Another feature of Westmoreland
glass animals is that many of them were made Start by finding a piece you like and build
into useful items, such as bowls. your collection from there. There are no rules
or limits. Check antiques
Cambridge Glass Animals shops, yard sales, flea markets,
Cambridge Glass was founded in 1873 in or look around online. You are
Cambridge, Ohio, and shut down in 1958. It sure to find some you like in your
Murano Glass Animals also had a brief period of closure in 1954. price range.

18 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles