Featured Painted Metal Otter Ashtray?

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?

 

Very cool. Is that not a bronze casting?

 

And he's holding a shell. Too sweet.

Debora

 

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.

 

I got this great video this summer of an ocean otter eating a crab. I wish I could post it here.

 

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!

 

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

 

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!

 

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.

 

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

 

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!

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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!)

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.