Is this kitschy?

[frogmarch]

I ordered this double-squirrel figurine on Etsy yesterday because the smaller squirrel is in a water globe for no apparent reason, and I liked that.

The larger squirrel on its tree trunk base fits over the smaller squirrel in its water globe. Put together, the tree trunks line up.

Any guesses as to why the smaller squirrel is in a water globe?

[shenmue]

1. Don't know

But that's cute.

[frogmarch]

3. I think so too, and

when my five-year-old grandson comes to visit this summer, knowing him I think he'll be fascinated by it. If he is, I'll give it to him.

[safeinOhio]

2. Some people collect squirrels

and some collect water globes. The maker gets both this way.

[frogmarch]

4. Aha! That must be it!

I don't collect squirrels, but water/snow/glitter globes grab me every time, and this one especially does because it seems wrong.

[Donkees]

5. Maybe he's eating water chestnuts :)

[frogmarch]

8. Ah, there ya go!

[Boxerfan]

6. Duh!-That is Sandy Cheeks of Bikini Bottom

Obviously....

Except they got it kinda backwards. Sandy lives under the sea so her house is a globe that has air in it-not water. But I'm suuuure that is her.
Very smart squirrel-scientist smart!

[frogmarch]

7. LOL

Good one!

[Kimchijeon]

9. I think it is kitschy and I love it

Not sure the point of having the water globe other than the maker was like "I have the materials for this, and SO BE IT."
Not sure how big those are but they would be something I'd put in a large potted plant, they'd fit right in with some painted ceramic mushroom/toadstools and a little gnome figurine, hiding among the foliage for a cute scene.

Good find!

[politicat]

10. A practical reason? Because the smaller squirrel would likely get broken.

Spheres are pretty strong, and can take some knocking about, when the top piece is put on and off. Without the sphere, though, there's a good chance the smaller squirrel would get caught on the upper piece and chipped or broken.

Also, the sphere and water work as a minor magnifier, and I assume when the top is on the bottom piece, it looks like the bottom one is looking through a window in a hollow tree.

It's a very cute pair of pieces, kitsch critique be damned. They're sweet.

[frogmarch]

11. Oh, wow!

Thank you! I was really half kidding when I asked if anyone could guess why the small squirrel was in the globe/sphere. Your guess that the globe/sphere protects the small squirrel makes a lot of sense, and I can hardly wait for the piece to arrive so I can see if the squirrel appears to be looking through a window when the top part is on. Oh, and if the water magnifies it, perhaps.

On Etsy it was described as "vintage," but I don't know how old it is. Because of the water globe, maybe 1970s? No idea, really. I paid $10.47 including shipping for it. Maybe I got a bargain. Regardless, as you said, the squirrels are sweet.

[WinkyDink]

12. I don't think it qualifies as kitsch.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsch

[frogmarch]

13. Whew!

I now don't think so either. Thanks!