Steuben Crystal Upright Duck Figurine

This is a fine art glass sculpture of an upright duck, characteristic of the mid-20th-century modern aesthetic popularized by Steuben Glass Works. The piece is crafted from high-clarity, colorless lead crystal, known for its brilliant refractive index. Standing approximately 8 to 10 inches tall, the figurine features a long, elegant neck curved slightly back with its head tilted upward and beak slightly open. The body is solid and heavy, tapering down to stylized webbed feet. The construction utilizes hand-formed hot glass techniques, resulting in smooth, seamless curves and a polished finish. Notable features include simple circular indentations for the eyes and a distinctively sculpted tail. While no signature is immediately visible in the image, such pieces are typically diamond-point etched 'Steuben' on the base. The condition appears excellent with high transparency and no visible chips or clouding, though minor shelf wear on the bottom surface is expected. The style suggests an origin from the 1940s to 1960s, a period when American glassmakers focused on minimalist, fluid forms that emphasized the purity of the crystal material itself.

Based on the provided imagery, I have evaluated this crystal figurine, which presents as a classic Steuben Glass Works 'Upright Duck.' The form is consistent with prominent mid-20th-century designs, featuring the signature high-clarity lead crystal and fluid, minimalist lines representative of the American Modernist glass movement. The piece appears to be in excellent condition, exhibiting the brilliant refraction expected of Steuben crystal, with no obvious chips, cracks, or 'sickness' (cloudiness) visible in the photos. The market for Steuben animals remains steady but soft compared to historic highs. While large exhibition pieces command thousands, smaller production animals like this duck generally trade in the mid-hundreds range. Comparables for similar 8-10 inch upright ducks recently sold at auction typically fall between $150 and $250, while retail or gallery prices often reach $350-$450 depending on condition and accompanying packaging. A significant limitation of this appraisal is the inability to verify the signature via the provided image. Authentic Steuben pieces are almost always signed with a diamond-point script on the base. Without physical inspection, I cannot confirm the presence of this mark or detect extremely subtle surface scratches or repairs that might affect value. To fully authenticate this piece, I would require an in-person examination to locate the signature and verify the weight and specific refractive duality of the lead crystal. Provenance, such as an original box or felt bag, would push the value toward the higher end of my estimate.