Topic: Signed..??... Guilio Radi AVEM style dove. ID = Alberto Mattiello "Geremia"

[Martyn K]

Hi,

I'm having trouble identifying this dove and would appreciate some help.....

It's 16cm (6in) high, 21cm (8 1/4in) long, gold flecked inside with murrhines, jade green eyes and clear base.

It's obviously at least based on Guilio Radi's AVEM dove, but has a signature on the base. For a change the signature is reasonably clear but I still cant work it out.

The initials are M A and the last word in parenthesis looks something like 'guernica'... maybe 'guilio'?

My best guess at the name is something like ..Mathelle Allento... but I know that's wrong, despite trying dozens of variations I'm getting nowhere...HELP please...

many thanks,
Martyn.

[TxSilver]

The signature is hard to read, for sure. From the picture, it looks like there are three words. The first word looks like Mottilla to me, which makes me wonder if the bird is from Spain. I have never seen a bird like this, so can't help much with it.

Anita

[Martyn K]

Hi Anita,

There are three words but the last one is all in lower case and in parenthesis which suggests it may be a title. The first two look to be a name, I stand to be corrected but think Mottilla is usually a surname? though the letters do look a similar shape to that.

Here's an example of the Guilio Radi dove I was refering to http://cgi.ebay.it/AVEM-GIULIO-RADI-DOVE-Venini-era_W0QQitemZ130164578822 , hope the link works but there are more out there that I could find for comparison if needed.

Many thanks for looking....

[David E]

Not sure if this helps, but Ivo's book list an Antun Motika, a Croatian sculptor who worked at Nason after 1952. No other details.

This is the only spelling of any name starting 'Mot'

[Pip]

Cripes, look at the asking the price of the one in the link!  I must say Martyn I think yours is much prettier.  I'm afraid I can't decipher the script either but I agree that the last word does look like 'guernica' which, as I'm sure you know, means something like war or battle in Spanish.

[David E]

It does assume, of course, that the original seller has their facts straight! :ac1:

But the signature looks good, even if it's not immediately decipherable.

[Martyn K]

Your quite right David who knows if that one is right or not but I've seen half a dozen other similar examples on line (same shape, size, base, large murrhine decoration etc.) all with the same attribution...and some of them sold VERY well!....Ivo's book is always my first port of call in these situations but I dont think it says Antun Motika...thanks very much for looking as well though.

I think it unlikely this is an AVEM piece (unless more recent production) but it does look to be based on the same design and since it's signed the maker clearly was'nt affraid to put thier name to it...ie not someone trying to make a fake...

I know nothing of Spanish glass and 'guernica' was just a word that seemed to fit the shape of the letters,and meant somthing, but may be a (mis)red herring?

'Tis pretty is'nt it Pip, thanks...

[Martyn K]

Here's a few more, slightly different beak but basically the same..... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AveM-Paar-Tauben-Giulio-Radi-Yokohama-1950_W0QQitemZ170174520403

...and a bowl using the same technique [but taking David's advice 'caveat emptor']..... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Schwere-Schale-A-VE-M-Entwurf-Giulio-Radi-AVEM_W0QQitemZ170174518479

[Artofvenice]

Hi, I know him, ALberto Matiello "Geremia". I work with him still know. He si a pretty good glassmaker specilized in classic glassworks (goblets, veroneses, bowls). He worked for several years with Carlo Tosi "Caramea" and with Cenedese. In his furnace BMC he works as "outsorced" furnace for several famous brands, Venini included.
Also his son, Stefano, is a very good glassmaker (he was assistant of Carlo Tosi).

Ciao

Alex

www.artofvenice.com

[Martyn K]

Hi Alex,

Thats great...thanks a lot, I doubt I would ever have got there...

A few questions...

Should it be Mattiello with two tt's ? I see on your site you have Stefano Matiello, while some other sites spell it Mattielo. It also appears to have two tt's in the signature on my dove.

What does the 'geremia' refer to? sorry if it's a stupid question but is it a place, nickname, glassworks??

I cant find any reference to Alberto via Google? Is it that he usually makes pieces under other trade names or does'nt usually sign his work? I would have expected the odd piece to show up if he has his own furnace and a long career...

Any idea when it might have been made? I'm guessing fairly recently...

Appologies to pester you for more answers, but since you actually know him I could'nt hope for better.

Thanks again, Martyn.