Large Glass Horse
Varinia Swicegood
he glass horse stood on its hind legs as if in mid-gallop. Blue and green glass swirled through its sleek figure. It looked incongruous near the pink china doll on my shelf, but I convinced myself that it was temporary. Soon I would present it to my sister, Naomi, who would surely treasure this gift.
The summer following my high school graduation, I signed up for The European Tour with some friends. It was an emotional and inspiring trip, davening at kivrei tzaddikim and visiting the many Holocaust memorials that dot the bloodstained lands of Europe.
Our itinerary was spiritually intense, but it was also peppered with trips to exciting and exotic places in Europe. During the last week of our tour, we spent a night in the Austrian Alps and then traveled on to Venice, Italy.
Our ferry docked at the island of Murano, famed for its artisan glass. I set out to explore the shops on my own and discovered ornate chandeliers, goblets and glass bowls swirling with color, a miniature glass orchestra, and even tiny glass grasshoppers. Their luminescent colors and intricate designs enchanted me.
I met the others for our scheduled tour of the glass foundry. Inside a large dimly lit room, we watched as the glass smith dipped a metal pipe into a liquid glass mixture. Gently, he blew through the pipe and as the glass cooled, he deftly shaped it. Somehow, as if by magic, he created a galloping horse.
This would be the perfect gift for Naomi, I immediately thought. My sister is an avid reader, and during one phase, she got hooked on horse novels. She read every book she could find on the subject, while weaving dreams of owning her very own stallion. I knew she would love this galloping glass figurine, and I resolved to keep it safe for her. I carefully wrapped it up again, lest it break on the trip back home.
I followed Naomi loyally, aspiring to be like her. I sang the songs she learned in school, played alongside her and her friends, and shadowed her faithfully. I felt incomplete without her. I trusted her implicitly. In my eyes, she could do no wrong.
I watched Naomi grow, going through the phases of her teenage years. I watched her build her circle of friends, heard her talking on the phone late into the night, and slowly I saw her move farther and farther away from me.
Still, I remained in the wings, waiting for her to be with me again. Stubbornly I waited for her to turn around and see me. Soon, soon, we would ride our bikes together again, I consoled myself. Soon, she would notice me and play a game of Monopoly with me.
But Naomi never called. She never wrote. The hope in my heart slowly gave way to the pain of her abandonment and anger for the destruction she had wrought in our home. Did she realize? Did she even care? Doubt seeped into my thoughts: Had she ever truly loved me? Or had I been a nuisance she had always wanted to be rid of? How could she have discarded me so carelessly?
The glass horse must have lost patience, too, because one day it fell and cracked. When I found it, it was lying on its side, a thin glass leg broken off. I propped it up on some other knickknack on the shelf, while propping up the dream in me. A dream that seemed to be slowly cracking.
Even amid the hectic wedding preparations, I thought of Naomi often. I desperately wanted to dance with her at my wedding. I dreamed of reconnecting, of bridging the gap between us, of somehow reuniting our broken family.
I did some investigating and found her mailing address. On the back of my wedding invitation, I wrote a little note for her, and sealed the envelope with a prayer. I dropped it in the mailbox, knowing I was going against my parents, and yet how could I get married without my sister? How could I not dance with her on that night?
There was a flurry of activity as my wedding day approached, and one day I received a call that my new apartment was ready. It was time to move on. I sat on the carpet of my childhood room, surrounded by boxes of clothing and books. I lovingly packed up my collections and mementos to take with me. Photos from school and camp, paintings, and other pieces of artwork I had created over the years. My eyes roamed across the room, landing on the cracked horse.
I reached for the glass figurine. I rubbed my fingers along its sleek body, while the old hope of a loving reunion ripped through me. The sharp edge of the broken leg scratched my thumb. I stared at the blood slowly seeping out of the tiny cut in my finger. Biting my lip, I forbid the pain to hurt me. The figurine was cracked. No use in keeping this legless horse any longer. I tossed it into the trash can.
Naomi did not come to my wedding. It was a bittersweet celebration, my heart chipped where love had once been. I begged Hashem to comfort me. My sister was alive, but I could not continue mourning her as if she were dead. I needed to move on. So I tried to forget the sister I had. I relegated her to the past, together with the glass horse I had intended for her.
I was married with two children when I received a call from Naomi. I was startled to hear her familiar voice on the other end of the line. She softly asked me if we could reconnect. She was different now. She wanted to make amends for the past. I was too stunned to reply. When I finally found my voice, I told her that I needed time.
More conversations followed, some short, some light, but each a small milestone of connection. During one phone call, Naomi related to me that she was taking horseback riding lessons. I remembered the younger Naomi avidly reading horse novels and spinning tales of winning the Derby. I was so happy for her. At last, she was achieving her childhood dream.
As she spoke about her lesson and how she had fallen off the horse, I suddenly recalled another horse. A blue-green glass horse with a broken leg. The figurine I had longed to give her throughout that long period of separation.
Hand made Glass Eyes to fit whatever horse you need. Varying from our smallest Decorative horse to our Extra Large Black Beauty (mm). Our eyes are sure to not disappoint. See the video in the Useful Links section of how to successfully attach your glass eyes to your Rocking Horse.
This exceptionally animated large rearing horse is entirely handmade by the master glass blower Zanetti on the island of Murano in Venice. The mane, tail and hooves have 24k gold details, while the shaded black glass of the body features subtle iridescent highlights. Make a dramatic arrangement by placing this sculpture next to a large "Sitting Horse", another piece by Zanetti. Each sculpture is unique, signed by the artist, and may vary slightly from the photo.
All smaller items are shipped Priority Mail, Yes we do combine shipping. Brass bases, saddles and larger items are shipped FedEx Ground. Carousel Horses, and Coin Op horses are shipped Commercial Trucker on Pallets, crating if necessary is additional.
All items must be returned in perfect condition. All packing, boxes, labels, tags must be attached to or returned with item. Damaged goods will not be accepted and will be returned to customer. Credit Card Refunds may only be made to the same card used for the original purchase.
With a wide selection to choose from, you can proudly display one of these unique pieces in your living room or hallway, impressing everyone with your breathtaking style. Each sculpture comes with a certificate of authenticity, ensuring its originality and quality.
These sculptures make an exclusive gift, perfect for any occasion. We can even include a personalized message with your gift. Plus, we offer fast delivery times. For more details, please contact us. Add a touch of originality to your decor with these Made in Italy treasures. Explore our Murano glass horse sculptures today.
Need advice where to display your horse sculpture? A chic dining room could be a gorgeous gallery of figurative sculptural forms. Try featuring a large horse sculpture as a focal point on your formal table. Alternatively, if you have a space to play, let your gorgeous sculpture steal the show. Statement artworks are truly stunning all on their own. Go bold and display your horse sculpture on a pedestal. Regardless which display option you choose, you will make a statement. Discover the exclusive Glass Horse Sculpture Collection made in the lagoon of Venice, Italy. Each sculpture is a hand blown unique masterpiece.
A glass carriage and pair of horses are the perfect gift for any princess in your life. 2 clear glass horses highlighted with 22-carat gold pulling a shimmering white pumpkin style carriage which also has 22-carat gold highlights. The carriage has glitter on the inside which makes the outside sparkle when the light hits it and is linked to the horses by gold-coloured chains. When chained together the maximum length is 23 cm and the minimum is 19 cm. The carriage is 16 cm high. This piece not only makes a stunning gift but also a wonderful keepsake cake topper.
Prancing horse in Murano glass, hand forged according to the traditional technique.The body is in solid glass by fusing the crystal with the blue, amber or grey glass.The gradual nuance from transparent to dark colored glass is particularly valuable.The mane and thing are crystal with a submerged 24k gold leaf.
Inspired by the original drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci preserved in the Uffizi gallery in Florence.On a completely different level to any other commercially available horse.The proportions enhance the exclusivity, the power, the dynamism, the beauty of the object. Our master has a natural gift for respecting the proportions by dosing the necessary glass mass in a short time available.Other workers will never reach this level despite 30 years of experience.
The benefits of natural light in horse barns are well-documented. A study by the University of California, Davis, suggests that increased natural light can improve the health and welfare of horses, impacting everything from their sleep patterns to their behavior (UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, Equine Health).
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