The Circus Dogs: A Masterful Spectacle by Dan Dailey (1995)

Masterful Spectacle: Dan Dailey’s “Circus Dogs” (1995) – A Blown Glass and Bronze Opus

Dan Dailey’s “Circus Dogs” (1995) is a paramount example of the artist’s ability to merge narrative humor with high-level industrial engineering. This piece is a “Holy Grail” for collectors of the Studio Glass movement, representing Dailey at the peak of his celebrated “Circus” series. It captures the frantic, joyful energy of the big top through a sophisticated and meticulously engineered combination of materials.

Measuring a substantial 24″ H x 21″ W x 17″ D, the work holds a commanding presence, affirming its status as a major piece within his oeuvre. This is not merely a sculpture; it is a complex figurative tableau brought to life by the interplay of rich textures and reflective surfaces. Dailey, often recognized as Dale Chihuly’s first graduate student, pioneered this seamless marriage of glass and metal, a technical feat that few glass artists can replicate without compromising the material’s fragility.

The “Circus” Narrative and Design

Dailey’s work is deeply figurative, often drawing from his early aspirations to be a cartoonist. In “Circus Dogs,” the blown glass isn’t just an ornament; it is structurally integrated with solid bronze and radiant gold-plated bronze. This period of Dailey’s career is marked by “Industrial Surrealism,” where he used metal to “cage” or support the fluid, blown forms, creating a captivating tension between the rigid bronze and the delicate glass.

Investment Grade: A Museum-Pedigree Acquisition

Works from the mid-90s “Circus” series are among the most coveted in the glass world. With his work featured in over 50 museums globally, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, acquiring a major figurative work like “Circus Dogs” is an investment in the history of American contemporary craft.

Condition & Authenticity Statement

AmericalEclectic.com certifies the following for the masterwork “Circus Dogs” (1995):

• Authenticity: This is an original, signature work hand-fabricated by Dan Dailey. It features the artist’s hand-etched signature and date (1995) on the glass/metal interface.
• Material Condition: The blown glass elements are in pristine condition, showing no “checks,” internal fractures, or surface abrasions. The gold-plated bronze and solid bronze components maintain their original luster, with no evidence of pitting or significant oxidation.
• Structural Integrity: All technical joins between the glass and metal armatures are secure. The sculpture has been professionally inspected to ensure the mechanical stability of the integrated materials.
• Documentation: This piece is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from AmericalEclectic and includes detailed provenance history from its original gallery acquisition.
• White-Glove Logistics: Given the delicate nature of the multi-material construction, this work will be shipped via Specialized Art Transit. It will be custom-crated with shock-absorbent materials and fully insured for its replacement value of $26,750.

Artists Bio