This amazing figural design is clearly one of designer Wayne Husted's most innovative moments. This rare cat shaped decanter with removable head stopper was part of a series of three iterations of the form, including a small decanter and vase form (pictured as a group below). Whereas the smaller version is called the "kitty" decanter in the original catalog, this dignified Siamese sentinel is the "cat" decanter, out of deference to its imposing scale.

This version of the three variations of the design is by far the rarest, having been made for only one year (compared to two for the others) and due to the fact that clearly fewer must have been made - no doubt the very high price in the original 1955 retail catalog explains this. It is also the most impressive.

Clearly the form is a decorative sculpture and not intended to be functional, as is often incorrectly assumed due to the handle-like tail. However the protruding tail that wraps gracefully around the side of the body from bottom to top either regularly suffered from annealing problems during fabrication (different types of glass cool at different speeds, thus resulting in stress between the two) or was just misused. Based on the regularity of occurrence I would assume the former. Regardless the reason, the result is the same; the majority of these cats have fractures within the top tail joint, as does this one. Fortunately it is usually concealed by the normal irregularity of the joint, thus having little to no visual impact. Please see the close-up photo below and do note our 100% satisfaction no-cost return policy.

Blenko design #5510L in Charcoal by Wayne Husted, designed 1955, made for one year only. Measures 16.75in.H x 7.5in.W