Rare Find at Sloane Square Gallery on 14STW in Huntington W.Va.!
Rare Central City Cameo Glass is showcased at Sloane Square Gallery on 14STW
About this Piece
This exquisite, high-quality cameo glass was handmade by local Glass Artisian, Kelsey Murphy around the early 1990s. Although it is not certain, many locals say this piece is one of the three that were commissioned specifically for Central City, making it rare and unique. Shopowner Jimmy Hobbs said he loves to have the piece in his shop, as it fits elegantly with the rest of the items offered at Sloane Square Gallery. He also said he would be willing to let any customer view the piece and if they were willing to purchase it, he would gladly talk about that with them.
Not only is the engraved, "Old Central City," a giveaway for what it represents, but the engravings of trains, lights, and buildings also encapture the essence of what makes Central City special in southern West Virginia.
The creation of cameo glass vases is a slow and careful process that involves blowing glass into the desired shape, and then engraving into layers of the glass while bringing out details of the desired image. This process is more delicate and can be more challenging than normal glass blowing.
About the Artist
Kelsey Murphy is a Cameo Glass Artist from West Virginia. She is best known for her work at Pilgrim Glass Company and Fenton Glass. She now works at her southern West Virginia shop, "Made in Heaven," with Robert Bomkamp, another Cameo Glass Artist. Murphy said in a WV Public Broadcasting interview, said she began glass etching in the 1980s when she opened Glass Expectations Inc., near Cincinnati. Her father owned a brick manufacturing company at the time, so she was familiar with working with machines and loved being in the manufacturing business. She later worked with Pilgrim Glass and Fenton Glass, creating beautiful masterpieces for local glass art lovers.
Many of her pieces can be found at the Huntington Museum of Art and even the Village Antique Mall. View more about Murphy on her website.
Shop for Cameo at Local Shops on 14STW!
Murphy's rare cameo can be found at Sloane Square Gallery located at 611 14STW. See it in its full glory any day from 10AM-5PM while it's still showcased! More of Murphy's work can be found at the Village Antique Mall open six days a week from 10AM-5PM (closed Wednesday), and located at 610 14STW!
Click an image below to display the larger version.
