Featured Painted Metal Otter Ashtray?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by KikoBlueEyes, Nov 27, 2022.

  1. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    I had to have this as soon as I saw it. I expected to find it right away through a Google search. I've spent hours searching with no luck. Maybe you can help. He is 8 3/4 inches long and 4 inches to the top of his head. He weighs 2 lb 3 oz. I couldn't find a mark or signature. There is sort of brown paper lining the bottom.

    Any ideas or comments?
    IMG_7894 (1).JPG IMG_7895 (1).JPG IMG_7896 (1).JPG IMG_7898 (1).JPG IMG_7899.JPG IMG_7900.JPG IMG_7901 (2).JPG IMG_7902 (2).JPG IMG_7903 (2).JPG thumbnail_IMG_7915.jpg
     
    cxgirl, bercrystal, ulilwitch and 9 others like this.
  2. Boland

    Boland Well-Known Member

    Very cool. Is that not a bronze casting?
     
    Aquitaine, ulilwitch, judy and 3 others like this.
  3. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    And he's holding a shell. Too sweet.

    Debora
     
  4. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    That was my guess, but I didn't want to start there, as I wasn't sure. It's clearly not copper. It's too heavy for spelter. That's all I got.
     
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  5. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    I got this great video this summer of an ocean otter eating a crab. I wish I could post it here.
     
    ulilwitch, judy, pearlsnblume and 2 others like this.
  6. Boland

    Boland Well-Known Member

    Also looks to have some good age to it. Let’s wait and see what other more knowledgeable members (than myself) think. Not finding similar so far (but will keep looking) You sure no mark/signature? (pity!)

    Anyway I think it’s very cool and I would definitely also have bought it in a sec. Nice find!
     
  7. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    He's a California sea otter, so I'd look for an origin there, perhaps.
     
  8. Lark

    Lark Well-Known Member

    He doesn't have to be an ashtray since the abalone shell has a natural indentation at that point so maybe not limit your search with ashtray. Shame to go through all that nice work just to make an ashtray!
     
  9. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    He makes me happy, and he will go into my permanent collection. Thanks for looking so hard. Yes. I'm hoping one of the wizards will chime in. :happy:
     
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  10. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Ah. Since I live in California, that's maybe why I love him so. I'll try that search term. Thank you.
     
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  11. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    That's fair. I'll cut the ashtray out. I was just looking for something to pin him down with. I tried so many variations, but now thanks to you call I have some more search terms. Abalone. Yes!
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
  12. silverbell

    silverbell Well-Known Member

    Isn't he adorable! If he needs a companion, find a comparable sculpture of a Border Terrier. (They have the same face!)
     
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  13. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Didn't realize that. I looked a border terrier up and I realized that I see this breed of dog a lot where I live.
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
  14. Lark

    Lark Well-Known Member

    I lived in the true Northern Ca. for 25 years- up in Crescent city near the Oregon border. Saw otters in our river and even sometimes on our street. Most don't realize how big they can get.
     
  15. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Wonderful. I was kayaking last summer and three river otters popped up near my kayak to give me a look. This is as close as I ever have been. I envy you. :greedy::greedy::greedy:
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
  16. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    The way the mold seam on the head has been ground down and left unpolished maked me think this is relatively modern. Likely brass with applied patina. India?
     
  17. silverbell

    silverbell Well-Known Member

    Kiko, if you live near a several of these dogs, I do envy you. I've had dogs most of my life (mostly setters and pointers), but I have never even met a live Border Terrier! James Herriot had one, and reading about his caused me to research them -- and I fell in love with the nature of the dog -- and that face.

    Unfortunately, dog show people do not seem to notice them much past their own class. And they really otter.

    (Sry!)
     
    KikoBlueEyes likes this.
  18. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Could be newer. I'd expect to see them though, and the brown paper is frayed. Most new things have green felt, I thought. But what do I know. I really appreciate your insight.
     
  19. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    I live in highly walkable area, where all day long people take their dogs out. I walk every day to the gym about a mile each way. I get to pet a lot of dogs.
    I always wondered what these were, but just assumed a mix. There are a lot of dogs imported from other countries like cream golden retrievers, English black labs and Malinois around here as well as a lot of designer dogs. Thanks for telling me. I live near the ocean, so they could be really otters. :)
     
    silverbell likes this.
  20. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    I saw sea otters on their backs off Monterey, near the aquarium. Joyous little beasts.

    We have native otters, which are found close in to London. They're slimmer and sleeker and have cat faces. Gorgeous.
     
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