Topic: Help with Murano piece, not sure what it is?

[farlinmama]

Hi! My mother recently found this in her closet.  The only thing I know is that it is Murano glass because of the tag on the bottom, hard to read in this pic but definite on that. She picked it up while living in Italy in the 80's and was going to get rid of it so I took it and am trying to find out more about it.  It is a beautiful amber color with gold leaf in a soft spiral down to the base which is a veiny green.  I have looked all over and found lots of Murano glass but nothing even close to this.  If anyone can offer a lead as to where to look or know anything about this it would be a lot of help.  Thanks in advance.

[langhaugh]

It looks very much like a console bowl that I've seen attributed to Barovier and Toso. In fact, I saw one with a Barovier and Toso label on it. One puzzle is the green, which I've never seen on this bowl. Also the label. What colour is the label on the bottom and what's printed on the label? Barovoier and Toso labels usually have the company name on them. This one looks blue  with silver printing, which would make it Fratelli Toso.

It's a lovely big piece. Treasure it.

David

[shandiane78]

I agree this looks like a Fratelli Toso label. If you really want to get rid of it, you can send it my way. ;-)

[farlinmama]

The label is blue with silver writing.  I can take a close up of it later and post just to be sure.  Just curious if anyone would know an estimated value on it also?

[langhaugh]

Checking my notes, I've seen two consoles like this, both 19 1/2 inches long, and both attributed to Barovier and Toso, one with the correct label. The green puzzles me still. It doesn't fit in with the rest of the piece and either was there green on the two pieces I've seen. As it seems to be only on the outside, I wonder if it's a stain that's been picked up. TxSilver has a great eye for Fratelli Toso and I wonder if she has a comment for this piece.

Value is all over the place right now, depending on where you buy and how much you want it. I'd be very happy, and a little surprised, if I got it for under $100 on eBay, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a good dealer asking $400-$500 in an online store. Shandiane probably has a better take on prices than I have.

David

[farlinmama]

Here is the close up of the label.  Also some of the green close up.  It has a neat pattern of two greens that are with in the piece.  It reminds me of a leaf.

[shandiane78]

Ooooo...These photos are much better. I can really tell what it looks like now. Definitely Fratelli Toso. Looks like a green to yellow shading with opalescence. I would try taking some photos against a black background, and also against white. How big is it?

[langhaugh]

Agreed about Flli Toso label. It's also different from the Barovier and Toso pieces in that the lines radiate straight out from the centre, whereas on the B & T pieces they spiral. The green is different, too. It still puzzles me. The B & T versions are around 19 1/2 inches.

David

[farlinmama]

I will try to take some pics against the different backgrounds.  It is about 19 1/2 inches long and 6-7 inches tall.

[David E]

I'm wondering if this has uranium included? The base shot certainly appears to have a slight green glow to it.