“Ooloo” the Cat – Glass Inkwell

This Czechoslovakian glass inkwell is an example of early 20th-century character merchandise, capturing the playful and slightly irreverent spirit of the Art Deco era.

Description

• The Figure: The inkwell is a figural representation of a wide-eyed, mischievous cat cast in translucent glass.
• Distinctive Detail: Notice the protruding red tongue, which is a hallmark of this specific design. This was typically achieved through “cold painting”—applying enamel or paint to the glass surface after it had cooled.
• Mechanism: The cat’s head acts as the hinged lid, providing access to the hollow glass body that serves as the ink reservoir.
• Markings: It bears the stamped mark “CZECHOSLOVAKIA” and a registration number.

The “Ooloo” Connection

This cat is named Ooloo, a character created by the famous British illustrator George Ernest Studdy (1878–1948).

• Origin: After the massive global success of Bonzo the Dog in the mid-1920s, the editor of The Sketch magazine asked Studdy for a new character.
• The Launch: Ooloo the Cat made her debut in The Sketch on January 2, 1929, under the headline “Exit Bonzo—Enter Ooloo!”.
• Character Traits: Ooloo was marketed as a “new load of mischief,” often depicted with the same saucer-like eyes and playful expressions as Bonzo. The tongue-out expression was a common sight in Ooloo’s comic strips.
• Merchandise: Like Bonzo, Ooloo’s likeness was licensed for a vast range of products including ceramics, soft toys by Chad Valley, and these popular Czech glass novelties.

Age and Rarity

• Date: Circa 1929–1935. Because Ooloo was introduced in 1929 and the “Czechoslovakia” mark was used for exports during the interwar period, these pieces can be dated precisely to this window.
• Rarity: While Bonzo merchandise is relatively common due to his immense popularity, Ooloo items are significantly rarer. The cat character never quite reached the same level of global “Bonzo-mania”.