Granny RosesLater, your sculpture sounds lovely. Based upon the photo posted by Jo-Ann Burke on Fossilfly {thank you Sue!},
http://forums.fossilfly.com/showthread.php?t=75I believe the artisan is Elio Raffaeli (1936- ). His signature is shown on two pieces listed April 2005 by eBay Seller ‘baylisters’. Click on the following links, and compare the cursive styles with the signature on your sculpture:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7313250293http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7313250311{The photos were still posted the day of this message. They are copyrighted. In the event the pictures disappear, contact the seller via eBay Contact Member and request a set.}
Elio Raffaeli together with Roberto Cammozzo and Renzo Vianello founded ARS Murano S.r.l. in 1982. Your purchase only three years later, in 1985, likely bolstered the bottom line of the fledgling company.
Brief biographies of the three founders are posted at ARS Murano,
http://www.arsmurano.it/.
On the Dali connection. While I found no reference at the web site to Salvador Dali, there was a phonetic connection. At age fifteen [c. 1951], Elio Raffaeli was hired by the Seguso-Dalla Venezia glass furnace. ‘Dalla’ pronounced quickly could sound like ‘Dali’.
On Jo-Ann Burke’s forty-year timeframe, mid-1960s. When the Seguso-Dalla Venezia glass furnace closed [c. 1957-58], Elio Raffaeli moved to Salviati. In 1966 he was hired as a master at the newly formed factory Briati, and given a piazza. Per the Glossary Section at
http://www.artofvenice.com {applause!}, piazza “denotes a team forming one production unit being able to autonomously execute all working phases, which are necessary to manufacture an object. The ‘glass master’ is the one responsible for the entire team.” The privilege of signature may have been permitted then, or at subsequent career stages. One could conjecture and research further, but the gate is open to the Fast Track.
ARS Murano remains in business and the 69-year old artist remains active. This is an enviable situation: both you and Jo-Ann Burke can ask the artisan himself! Send an e-mail together with photos to ARS Murano S.r.l., ATTN Elio Raffaeli, at info@arsmurano.it, and request his assistance. Perhaps you could update this thread when you learn more!
Cheerio!
Chaz
Gnome de Plume