Why Art Glass Animals Are The Best Keepsake Gifts
Introduction
It can be difficult to find a great gift to give for a loved one or a close friend, especially if you want your gift to stand out and have meaning. If this is a familiar scenario, why not buy them handmade art glass animals? They are unique and attractive, and each animal is surrounded by symbolism.
In this article, we’ll tell you more about glass animals, their main producers, the symbolism, why they are meaningful, and how to select the perfect one for a keepsake gift.
Artists and Companies Known For Creating Glass Animals
Alfredo Barbini
Alfredo Barbini, whose family had been involved in Murano glassmaking since the 16th century, was born in 1912. He began his career at the age of 13 when he started work at S.A.I.A.R. Ferro Toso in Murano, Italy. In 1950, with financial help from Salviati & Co., he formed his own Murano Glass company, Veteria Alfredo Barbini. He was well known as a creator of blown glass sculptures, including exquisite bird and animal figurines. He had a great love of nature, especially aquatic animals and birds, and it was this interest that led him to create beautiful works of art, such as a Bird of Paradise made from cased gold, green, and white glass, and embellished with gold leaf. In the 1940s, he created a series of sculptures known as “Alfredo Barbini Aquariums”. These are solid glass blocks with colorful fish, seahorses, turtles, and jellyfish trapped inside in an underwater scene. To create these, he used the Sommerso technique, embedding layers of colored glass within the block of clear glass.
Waterford
Waterford was an Irish glass-making company that closed in 1851. However, it was revived in 1947 by a jeweler from Dublin, Bernard J. Fitzpatrick, and a Czech expatriate, Karl Bacik. The company still exists and creates a wide range of crystal animal figurines, including fish, seahorses, dolphins, whales, elephants, horses, dogs, and giraffes.
Moser
Moser is a Czech company that is still active. It produces cadmium and lead-free small glass animals, including elephants, lions, cats, ducks, and roosters. The most stunning are the figurines made from Malachite-style green glass.
Sandwich Glass
Sandwich Glass was a company that operated in the United States between 1825 and 1888. It created classical figurines, and one of its most popular ranges was the Seashell line, which included scallops and giant clams. It also created animal items that could be used, such as dolphin candlesticks.
Fenton Art Glass Company
Fenton Art Glass Company is the biggest producer of handmade glass in the USA. It was set up in 1905 and remains operational to this day. It has been making art glass animals since the 1930s when the company created a series of miniature bulldogs in many colors, including red, green, and blue.
Around the same time, the Alley Cat was created, which had a cheeky grin. These are still being produced in a range of stains and iridized colors. In recent years, they crafted kittens as well as a series called Happy Cats and another called Curious Cats.
Whales, unicorns, bears, butterflies, birds, fish, and frogs are still being produced.
Swarovski
Swarovski was founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski in his home country of Austria. It produces crystal glass and created its first miniature glass animal in 1976 when it made a mouse figurine from the company’s chandelier pieces. Over the years, it has created different figurines, including Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, bears, and dragons.
Steuben Glass Works
Steuben Glass Works was another US company, founded iIn the 1930s. It introduced a range of high-quality crystal wildlife animal figurines. The figurines are not cheap but they are valued by collectors. Steuben continued to produce glass animals such as koalas, birds and alligators, as well as fantasy creatures like dragons and unicorns until it closed in 2011.
Why Are Art Glass Animal Figurines Popular?
People Love Animals
Many people love animals, whether wild or tame, and if they are also fans of glasswork they could be encouraged to collect miniature glass animals. The same goes for birds and fish, which are also popular. Art glass animals are generally small and adorable making their appeal even greater.
Nature As An Inspiration
The natural world attracts many people, and they might want to set up a natural display in their homes. Adding miniature glass animals can enhance the scene. An underwater theme could include dolphins, fish, seahorses, and octopi. A jungle scene could include lion,s while a farmyard theme could have pigs and horses.
Excellent Craftsmanship
The majority of glass animal figurines are hand-made, which makes them unique. Even if the artisan is making more than one of a design, they won’t be exactly the same as they would be if they were produced mechanically. In addition, the artisans are highly skilled and the figurines are detailed, showcasing the talents of the glass worker.
Fit All Decorative Styles
Blown glass animals don’t look out of place in either a modern house or a traditional home. They are timeless and will enhance any type of setting.
Animals Are Symbols
Animals symbolize different things, and many people are drawn to these figurines because they represent their attributes or feelings. Let’s take a look at some of these symbols.
Birds
Birds are symbols of freedom because they soar above us, and some can travel for thousands of miles when they migrate over land and sea. A bird figurine is an ideal gift for friends or family who are setting out on a new journey, whether physical or spiritual.
Swans
Swans are well-known monogamous birds, so they symbolize faithfulness and true love. A swan glass figurine is an ideal gift to give for Valentine’s Day, or to a couple celebrating their engagegemnt, wedding, or anniversary. Of course, you can give it to the one you love to commemorate your relationship.
Owls
Owls symbolize wisdom, patience, and insight. Owl animal figurines make a great gift for someone who is thoughtful or intelligent.
Penguins
Penguins are seasonally monogamous and have strong family bonds. They symbolize devotion and loyalty and so a penguin miniature glass animal is a suitable gift for someone you care deeply about, be it a parent, husband or wife or best friend.
Fish
Fish are symbols of adaptability and spirituality as well as of healing in some customs. A fish figurine is a perfect gift for a relaxed person who goes with the flow and doesn’t lose their temper quickly. It would also make an excellent gift for someone who needs a calming influence.
Octopus
The octopus is a highly intelligent creature that easily adapts to situations and is resourceful. An octopus figurine is an ideal gift for a resilient and smart person or for someone who is trying to discover him or herself.
Dolphins
Dolphins are both intelligent and playful, as well as being excellent communicators. They are sociable both with their own kind and with humans, so a dolphin-themed animal figurine is a suitable gift to give to someone you care about and enjoy being with.
Butterflies
Butterflies are symbols of transformation due to their changing life cycle. Give a butterfly figurine to someone who is going through a period of change or is enjoying a new start in life.
Cats
Cats are independent creatures, as well as being curious, stealthy, and a little mysterious. People who like cats often share some of these attributes, so a miniature glass cat would be a suitable gift for a person who values a certain amount of freedom and who wants to live life on his or her own terms.
Dogs
Dogs are often called man’s best friend and they are quite different from cats. They are faithful, loyal, and protective towards their owners. A dog figurine is perfect for a close friend or family member.
Horses
Like dogs, horses are loyal, but they also represent freedom, strength, and speed. Horse figurines are a suitable gift for someone close who is adventurous. They remind that person to be grounded while still pursuing their dreams.
Pigs
Pigs are intelligent creatures, said to be more intelligent than dogs. They symbolize good fortune and hard work, and a pig figurine would make a good gift for someone who has achieved success.
Rabbits
Rabbits symbolize fertility, abundance, and nurturing. A rabbit glass figurine would be the ideal gift for a couple who have just had a baby.
Snails
Snails are slow and steady and symbolize patience and determination. A snail-themed figurine would be appreciated by someone who likes to take one step at a time and enjoys the journey towards his or her goal as well as reaching it.
Best Occasions For Gifting Art Glass Animals
Birthday
Birthdays are special occasions, ideal to give a loved one, a friend, or a colleague a glass animal sculpture or a miniature glass animal as a gift. Choose one that is a symbol of their personality or simply one of their favourite animals.
Christmas
Christmas is the time of warm family gatherings, festivities, and celebration, when we exchange gifts with friends and family. A glass animal sculpture or a miniature figurine is a thoughtful and unique present, and as with birthdays, it is not hard to pick the right symbolic message by picking the figurinev that speaks to your relationship with the person or matches their personality well.
Wedding and Anniversary
Why not commemorate your engagement, wedding, or anniversary by giving your partner a symbolic gift? A pair of matching figurines, such as doves, swans, birds of paradize, or dolphins, symbolize love and unity.
Sympathy
If a close friend or family member has experienced a loss, you may want to give them a gift to show that you are thinking about them. A glass figurine symbolizing peace and comfort, such as a dove, can say more than words can.
Housewarming
If you have friends or family who have moved into a new home, an art glass animal can bring just the right accent into their new space and brighten up their surroundings. It might even start a new hobby of collecting handmade figurines.
Graduation
When your son or daughter graduates from high school or college, commemorate this momentous occasion with a glass animal figurine, such as a soaring bird or a wise owl, indicating their smartness, achievement and implying that there is nothing that they can’t do.
How To Choose the Right Figurine For Your Friend Or Relative
Think About the Animals the Person Likes
If you know that a friend or relative likes a particular animal, such as a cat, dog, swan, dolphin, or owl, buy them their favorite animal figurine.
Think About the Symbolism and How It Relates To the Person
Choose an art glass animal that reflects the person’s personality, such as an owl for a thoughtful and wise person. Alternatively, send a message through the figurine. Wish someone a happy anniversary with a pair of doves or congratulate a birth with a rabbit.
Size
Decide what size of figurine would fit in the person’s space. Small figurines look great on a floating shelf, in a bookcase, on a credenza, or a side table. Larger animal sculptures will fit bigger spaces and can stand on their own on a coffee table or a console table.
Style
Determine whether the style of the room and interior design call for a simpler piece with cleaner lines and monochrome colors, or whether a gold-accented more sophisticated piece will work best. Also it is important to understand what style suits the person’s taste and personality.
Color
Choose a miniature glass animal in a color that will work well with the color scheme of the person’s home or that has his or her favorite colors. A bold-colored piece may brighten an otherwise bland color scheme while a transparent piece will work well for pretty much any case and any decor.
Uniqueness
Look for hand-blown sculptures to make the gift extra special. They are far more meaningful than mass-produced figurines available in chain and discount stores. A limited-edition creation feels exclusive, and your friend or family member will feel unique and special.
Why Are Hand-Made Animal Figurines More Meaningful Than Mass-Produced Gifts?
Each hand-made figurine has been made with thoughtfulness, great care, and much effort, the artisan having spent years learning his or her craft. These figurines stand apart because they have individuality and tell a story. Mass-produced figurines are produced with little individual input. Your friend or relative will feel valued if they receive a hand-made glass figurine.
Where To Buy Art Glass Animals
Artisan Studios
The best place to buy an animal figurine is from the artisan. If you have the chance, visit a studio. You will be able to see the artisan’s pieces and maybe even see him or her at work. Buying from an artisan’s studio ensures that you are buying a handcrafted piece.
Online Stores
There are many online retailers, such as Glass Of Venice, that sell a wide range of animal figurines. You may even find some rare pieces.
Craft Fairs
You could find glass animal figurines at a craft fair. You might even be lucky enough to pick up a rare or limited-edition piece.
Final Thoughts
An art glass animal is the perfect gift for just about every occasion. The recipient will know that you have put care into finding the perfect gift, one that will last a lifetime.
