Page 26 - brimfield-guide-september-23

24 SEPTEMBER 2023 BRIMFIELD SHOW GUIDE
Animals in Glass

by Jessica Kosinski
lass is a wonderful medium because it is so simply by their white appearance. Many Westmore-
versatile. It is used to make everyday items land pieces are marked, but the company did go
Granging from tableware to windows. For a through a few periods when they did not mark the
collector, glass is a great focal point because there are pieces. Most notably, Westmoreland animals and
so many wonderful artists who work with the medium, other items made from 1920 to 1950 were typically
past and present. One of the most fun and diverse unmarked. Another feature of Westmoreland glass
categories of glass collectibles is animal figurines. animals is that many of them were made into useful
There are many companies and geographic areas items, such as bowls.
known for producing glass animals over the years. Cambridge Glass was founded in 1873 in
Sometimes, those animals are easily recognizable. In Cambridge, Ohio, and shut down in 1958. It also had
other instances, they can be a little harder a brief period of closure in 1954. Unlike
to identify. However, there are glass Westmoreland, Cambridge glass was
collection catalogs and online resources known for its colorful art glass pieces.
that can help. Below are brief overviews Those produced in the 1920s were
of some of those top sources for especially popular. Pieces made in the
collectible art glass animal figures. later part of the decade were clear, while
Murano is an island area in Venice, earlier pieces were primarily opaque.
Italy. Residents of the Murano Islands Throughout its time in business,
began perfecting their glassworking Cambridge produced several animal
techniques as early as the 13th century. figurines. Their glass swans were and
The area has since become known as one still are particularly popular. Many
of the leading areas for art glass Cambridge pieces were purely
production in the world – one of the decorative, but some had additional
only areas for such glass production until purposes. One of the most fun pieces to
the 16th century. By that time, Fenton red glass cat collect today is the bulldog pencil holder.
glassworking secrets had begun to leak It was produced in different colors,
out to other countries. As you might including clear, blue, green, and red.
imagine, for several centuries the glass There are many companies,
producers of the Murano Islands have locations, and individuals known for art
churned out many works of art, glass production that are not on the list
including various Murano glass animals. above. That is one of the things that
The earliest pieces are the most prized makes collecting art glass animals so
since no two pieces were alike. Today, much fun. You can find them practically
that is not always the case. However, anywhere. More big names in art glass
even modern Murano glass animals animals to watch for include: New
are beautiful additions to any glass Martinsville, Paden City, Heisey, and
animal collection. Imperial.
Fenton is a glass company founded There are many ways to start an art
in Ohio in 1905. Since then, the glass glass animal collection. You could focus
animals produced by Fenton have on glass pieces produced in a certain
seemingly taken on lives of their own. area, by a certain company, or in a
They are among the most collected of all Westmoreland Rooster certain period. Alternatively, you could
Fenton pieces. For example, glass animal opt to collect glass animal figures that
pieces produced for Fenton in the 1980s by Delmer are a certain color or depict a certain type of animal,
Stowasser included whales and elephants. Some of such as a dog or an elephant. Or if you want to go a
those pieces routinely sell today for around $300 each. bit more into the world of fantasy, you can look for
The Westmoreland company was founded in zoomorphic examples such as a griffin, unicorn, or
Grapeville, Pennsylvania in 1889. The company two-headed beasts that can be ancient or modern.
stayed in business for almost 100 years, finally shutting Start by finding a piece you like and build your
down in 1984 after it changed ownership a few times collection from there. There are no rules or limits.
during that period. Westmoreland was known for its Check antiques shops, yard sales, flea markets, or look
production of milk glass, which is so named due to its around online. You are sure to find some you like in
opaque white, milk-like appearance. As a result, it is your price range.
often easy to identify Westmoreland glass animals