The magnificently unique Unicorn traditionally has been noted not only for its tell-tale forehead horn, but also for its billy-goat beard, lion's tail, and cloven hooves. The unicorn has been represented throughout the centuries in accounts from both mythology and natural history (as Greek writers were convinced of its existence). This remarkable beast has been featured in 15th century Scottish heraldry (coats of arms) and in masterpieces of world art - to wit: "The Unicorn is Penned" tapestry (circa 1495 to 1505) at the Cloisters, MMA Metropolitan Museum of Art, N.Y.C.

Readers: see notes below.

A rare triad: a frosted hand-painted blue glass candy dish from the depression era (most likely Westmoreland); alongside a hand-blown aqua glass bunny; and "The Secret Emerald" captured by the Frosted Lion from the Emerald City.

[ Editor's note: The Westmoreland Glass Co. was opened in 1890 at Grapeville, Pa. and it had many hits throughout the Depression glass era. ]

In which the Frozen Lion captures the sacred emerald from the Emerald City and proceeds to thaw, and finally regains his lost courage.

"Save me from the lion's mouth; for thou hast heard me from the horns of unicorns."
- Psalms 22:21

From the New York Public Library...courage; to Trafalgar Square, London and Venice, Italy...courage; to Wat Phra Keo (Bangkok Thailand) and to the Shisa Guardion Lions of Tokyo...courage. [ Apologies to The Wizard of Oz's Cowardly Lion and to Rod Stewart 's "Passion". - ed. ]

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: / Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” - Matthew 13:45, 46

The oyster opens its mouth and beholds a plethora of iridescence amid the pearl of great price.

"The Gathering of Phantasmagorical Glass" - Right to left in foreground: Pink champagne glass, France; peacock blue Depression-era candy dish. Background, right to left: Crystal-cut Russian pattern candy dish; and green Jeanette Glass Company candy dish.

"All the King's Crowns" - Wedding bowl and various goblets, King's Crown glassware with Cranberry Flash.

"Showdown at Diaphanous Coral" - Right to left in foreground: Lavender wineglass, referred to as "sun purple glass," manufactured prior to 1914; the turquoise candy dish represents "moon and stars glassware" (spanning the decades of the 40s, 50s and 60s). In background, right to left: Frosted green fragrance container emulates the style of Egyptian perfume bottles; Amberina candy dish; and French lead crystal serving bowl (over 24% Pb. - ed).

"The Swan and Company" - Clockwise from right to left: Green candy dish from the Jeanette Glass Company, Depression era; clear crystal covered candy dish with Russian pattern; reddish swan Amberina glass; hobnail milk glass; King's Crown goblet, with Cranberry Flash; and peacock blue cobalt candy dish, circa 1930s.

"2 Rubies" - The shot glass on the left (dated 1903 from the St. Louis, Missouri World's Fair) and the finger bowl on the right (dated 1899, simply labeled "Ida") are both examples of "ruby flash." Note: The difference between ruby stained glass and ruby flash is that although both use gold chloride, the flash is just a coating. - ed.

"Simply Green" - Two forms of green glass; the flower vase and teacup with saucer is forest green glass by Anchor Hocking's Fire King brand, and the sherbert dish is Depression glass (circa 1930s).

"The Land of the Rising Sun Meets Merry Olde England" - Two forms of red transferware; the Japanese cup is pink willow and the British creamer is true red transfer from 1914. [The Japanese cup is a blue willow pattern, however since it is reddish, it is referred to as "pink willow." -ed.]

"The Land of the Dragon Meets the Fatherland" - Golden lustreware from China, alongside pink lustreware from Germany.

"Frosty the Bear and the Unicorn" - Frosted-glass bear and metallic unicorn. Frosted-glass is uncommon; a process called chemical etching, along with hydrochloric acid, must be used. - ed.

Note: Observant viewers will note that the same fascimile painting appears in the background for each of the following entries. The blog host ventures a guess that the original work of art was fashioned sometime during either the Han or Chou dynasties. - ed.

"A Man and His Horse" - Two finely crafted clay figurines representing the original terracotta soldiers from Xian, Shaanxi Province, China.

"The Bronze Ritual Cauldron" - The purpose of these archaic iron alloy vessels remains an inscrutable mystery to this day. They can be found in the Ting, Shang, and Chou dynasties.

"Blue Dog and Tea for Two" - Blue-glazed Foo Dog, traditionally used at doorways for spiritual protection. Mainly used in the Middle Kingdom.

"The Eternal Guardians of the Portals and Two of the Three Immortals" - Jade-colored composite resins are herein deployed to create these protective guardian oriental canines. Furthermore, these two hand painted statuesque oriental dieties to the outer left and right represent Longevity and Good Fortune.

"The Scholar and the Soldier" - Dark amber resin molds utilized to create these two figurines. In the center, an authentic Chinese teapot made of real silver and cloisonne.

"Snuff Bottles and Miniature Teapots" - Delicate and fragile master artisan craftsmanship from "the Land of Tea and Marco Polo."

"Double Dragon: Twin Sentinels" - These two oriental guardians are the "real deal." These are NOT Pier 1 Imports knock-offs, rather they are authentic kiln-fired and glazed pottery from Mainland China.

"Knight and the Dragonfly in the Middle of the Night"

Hand-blown glass clown and elephant companion, purchased by blog host's family at the island of Lido, Venice Italy.

Exquisite hand-carved crystal perfume bottle from Grasse, in the community of Alpes-Maritimes, France. Depicted in a swirling circle of Rubinesque women in bas-relief.
Note: Purchased by blog host's family during a European vacation, circa 1960. - ed.

Original signed watercolor of Anne Hathaway's cottage, Stratford-on-Avon, by C. Palmer. Note: No year given. - ed.
In foreground is a set of three (two teacups, saucer, and sugar bowl) of British Royal Paragon chinaware.

Original oil painting of a Chinese junk, by B. Baker, 1964. Note: Most likely painted on location in Hong Kong Bay. - ed.
Featured in the photos above and below are fine quality Chinese earthenware, along with an authentic jade hand-carved Buddha. Note: Buddha purchased in 2007 at International Gem and Mineral Show, Tucson. - ed.

Copy of Great Wall of China color lithograph, original circa early 1800s by R. O'Brien, Squire. Note: Smaller scale original drawn from nature, in blog host's possession. - ed.