Vintage Cavan Ireland Clear Glass Swan Ornamental Pin Dish

Very popular in the mid to late 20th Century in Irish homes. If you know you know!
Vintage Cavan Lead Crystal Swan Bird Figurine, Trinket or Candy Clear Dish.
Hand made in excellent condition.
Beautiful stand alone piece to simply brighten up any space.
14 cm long x 14 cm high x 9 cm wide approximately.

Cavan Crystal – the story:

The Cavan Crystal factory was established in 1969 in Cavan town. It was Ireland’s second-biggest crystal maker after Waterford Crystal.

Their products were hand-cut lead crystal, and they produced a wide range: bowls, vases, glasses, animals, and especially swan figurines/dishes.

By the 1970s–1990s, swan ornaments (both decorative and functional pin/bon-bon dishes) became extremely popular. They were seen as symbols of elegance and were very affordable gifts compared with Waterford Crystal.


Why the swan?

The swan is an Irish cultural symbol (appearing in Celtic mythology and poems like The Children of Lir).

It was also a popular wedding gift because swans are associated with love and lifelong pairing.

Many Irish homes displayed one proudly in a cabinet or on the mantelpiece — often beside the “good” teacups or holy statues.


The nostalgia:

By the 2000s, Cavan Crystal as a company declined (eventually taken over, and the original factory closed in 2006).

These swan pieces now pop up in vintage/antique markets and online listings. if you walked into an auntie’s or granny’s sitting room in the 80s or 90s, you probably saw one of these swans.