Flying Pigs: Gifts and Collectibles

Flying pigs are a fantastic image for endless optimism and belief that all things are possible, so to decorate with flying pigs is to fill your home with good cheer, positive thoughts, and a delightful sense of whimsy.

The origin of the flying pig dates back to the 17th century, a sarcastic response to any overly optimistic prediction: "Oh yes, and pigs might fly!" - Meaning that when the chubby and notably not-very-aerodynamic pig takes to the air, clearly all the limitations of dull pragmatism are off, and anything could happen!

For the optimist in your life, then, or for a unique addition to your own home and garden décor, what better gift than a decorative and collectible flying pig?

It's quite interesting how winged pigs seem to have caught on in the imagination of so many people these days. Collectors of airborn porkers were hard-pressed to find really attractive and unusual items to add to our collections until quite recently, except for the occasional antique piece at ridiculous prices, but now you can find truly cool flying pigs of all sorts, in every artistic style from retro to modern, realistic to stylized, and in a wide range of materials. Just take a look at some samples of what's to be found these days!

Hand crafted crystal flying pig figurines (set of two pieces) created by San Diego glass artist Kevin Prochaska - just look at that expression of motherly love, somehow conveyed in blown glass. Lovely! You can also get just one pig (sow?) ornament separately, if the single piece is a better fit for your pig art collection or your collection of crystal and glass figurines.

For those who like to know something about the artist behind the pieces in your collection, you may be interested to know that Kevin Prochaska worked for 35 years as a glass artist at Disneyland.

Like many glass artists, this master glassblower came to his love for the medium at an early age, entranced by the delicate glass ornaments that his sister collected.

I was thrilled to learn that Prochaska was the creator of the Cinderella glass slipper in the Cheryl Ladd movie about the life of Grace Kelly, and you've probably seen his glass works in a host of other feature films and television specials.

Among his many artistic accomplishments, he has even had his one-of-a-kind handblown glass Christmas ornaments decorate the Christmas tree at the White House in Washington, DC.

Speaking of Christmas...

Christmas Angels - Hanging Ornaments of Flying Pigs

Now, some people might wonder what a flying pig has to do with Christmas... but I think you'll agree that, if ever there was a time to celebrate a belief in the wonderful and miraculous, Christmas is most certainly it. And if a whimsical ornament can bring a smile, all the better for the holiday spirit.... or as a decorative accent, all year round.

My little niece can't get enough of the stories of Olivia (the girl pig who loves ballet and gets into all sorts of mischief, in a popular series of children's books), and she's enchanted by the idea of a wee Christmas tree for her bedroom that's decorated all in Olivia-inspinred flying pig angels. Something tells me, if her parents do choose to indulge that fancy, that Christmas tree might end up staying in place all year round, with flying pigs the main theme in this little girl's bedroom decor!

A Tiffany light with winged pigs?

Yes!

I can't think of a better way to light up your home décor with a subtle bit of whimsy - and just think how much fun it would be to watch a first-time visitor to your home do a double-take when they admire the pendant ceiling light and gradually realize what they're looking at on the elegant glass-panelled shade!

I'm the first to admit that a light fixture in a flying pig motif is not necessarily to the taste of everyone... a bit over the top, perhaps? But if you're a collector of the winged pig genre, you've just got to take a gander at the surprisingly elegant Tiffany style ceiling light. I love the contrast between the sophisticated style and the sheer frivolity of the flying pigs that cavort around the edge of the fixture.

Since their introduction in the early 1900s, geometric Tiffany lampshades have been an affordable touch of luxury in so many homes across the country, they're practically an American icon - and the whimsical design tradition of Louis Comfort Tiffany himself is carried out with both humor and beauty in the distinctive Flying Pigs pendant ceiling light fixture. Actually, he tended to go a bit more overboard for flowers and for exotic birds, but a flying pig motif is certainly in the spirit of the eccentric genius!

For a bit of a change from the standard earthbound piggy bank, why not trust your loose coin to a porcine angel made in classic, durable, authentic cast iron? Vintage forms are always on trend... and a small decorative item that serves a practical purpose is a fun addition to your flying pig collection.

Keep your coins safe and sound in a cast-iron replica of an antique flying pig figurines, hold down papers on your desk or prop open a door with a hefty winged pig, or hang your keys on a three-hook cast iron key holder. You'll never misplace your keys again - when pigs fly!

If you prefer to let your flying pigs enjoy the great outdoors, where they can feel the lift of the wind beneath their metallic wings, choose an impressive top-of-roof weathervane or a smaller decorative version to rotate on a garden stake. Either way, your Porky will let you know which way the wind blows.