August Walther & Söhne - Figurine - Windy Wendy - Satined

“Windy Wendy” – Rare Art Deco glass figurine, circa 1930

A distinctive and atmospheric Art Deco glass figurine from around 1930, known among international collectors by the charming nickname “Windy Wendy.”

The figurine depicts a young girl in a striking expressive pose. With her head tilted slightly back and both hands at the hem of her dress, she seems to be holding her skirt or apron forward. The graceful posture, stylized clothing, and soft modeling of the face are beautifully characteristic of the figurative design from the Art Deco period.

Special matte blue variant

“Windy Wendy” is executed in stunning blue satin-finished pressed glass. The matte surface gives the figure a soft, almost icy appearance and ensures that the modeling of the face, hair, hands, and the drapery of the dress is particularly beautifully visible.

The integrated round glass foot forms a single sculptural whole with the figure.

The mystery surrounding “Windy Wendy”

Although many similar satin-finished glass sculptures from the 1920s and 1930s can be attributed to well-known German glass factories such as August Walther & Söhne, “Windy Wendy” presents an interesting mystery.

The exact manufacturer and country of production are not definitively documented, as far as is known.

In terms of form, glassmaking technique, and construction of the round foot, the figure shows clear kinship with German and Central European figurative pressed glass from the interwar period. Within specialized collector circles, therefore, several possible German manufacturers are named. British provenance cannot be completely ruled out either.

As long as a convincing original factory catalog or marked specimen is lacking, “Windy Wendy” is best regarded as an anonymous but characteristic European Art Deco design from circa 1930.

It is precisely this still-unsolved origin that makes the piece even more interesting for collectors.

Possible inspiration: “Die Sterntaler”

A particularly appealing theory is that the presentation is inspired by the well-known fairy tale “Die Sterntaler” – The Star Talers of the Brothers Grimm.

In the tale, a poor but good-hearted girl is ultimately rewarded when stars fall from the sky and turn into coins. The characteristic stance of “Windy Wendy,” in which the girl holds her dress or apron forward with both hands, has led to this association among collectors.

An original design or catalog source confirming this interpretation definitively is not known.

Specifications

Collecting name: “Windy Wendy”
Presentation: young girl with raised dress/apron
Style: Art Deco
Period: circa 1930s
Origin: Europe – exact manufacturer/origin unknown
Material: satin-finished pressed glass
Color: matte blue / ice blue
Technique: pressed glass in a mould with satin finish
Foot: integrated round glass foot

Dimensions: H 13.5 x W 6.0 x D 4.0 cm
Weight: 152.2 g

Condition

The figurine is in beautiful vintage condition. Small air bubbles, pressing lines, and other minor irregularities can occur with historic pressed glass and are characteristic of the production processes of the time.

See the photos for a good impression of the execution and condition; these form an important part of the description.

A particularly decorative and hard-to-find Art Deco glass object, which, due to its lovely matte blue color, elegant design, and mysterious origin, makes an attractive addition to a collection of European Art Deco glass and figurative pressed glass.

The object is carefully and securely packed and shipped by insured registered mail with track & trace via smart shipping.