Topic: Millefiori butterfly - ID suggestions please

[tropdevin]

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I have just got this large paperweight (3 1/2 inch diameter, 2 1/4 inch high), with a skilfully made millefiori butterfly over an intense 'Clichy blue' ground.  Very competently made, using complex cane slices for the wings, a good attempt at a spotted body and a head with eyes.  The butterfly floats above a cushion made by coating a white layer in bright translucent blue glass.  A stunning piece which I am keeping.

Some of the canes and the polished base suggest Murano to me, but I have not seen a weight like this before.  Anyone got any ideas where or when it was made?

Alan

(http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/rosismum/th_1836m.jpg)  (http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/rosismum/th_1836bm.jpg) (http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/rosismum/th_1836dm.jpg) (http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/rosismum/th_1836cm.jpg)

[casalibre]

if not you knows what it is.
who will know it? :huh: :huh: :huh:
and
I think, Murano will be the right trace....

[KevinH]

I have seen a few (no more than four, I think) weights of the same style. They all had the same sort of large head without antennae and separate from the body. At least one of those I have seen was said to be Murano but I don't recall any specific maker being named.

I am fairly sure that Anne Metcalfe included at least one in her regular "sales catalogues". Perhaps somebody has a collection of the older Sweetbriar literature and can track this down?

[alexander]

The canes used for the wings are often found in Galliano Ferro paperweights, the quality is a good match for Galliano Ferro also.
I have not seen these canes in paperweights from other makers.

[tropdevin]

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Thanks for the various comments. Looks like Murano then - any ideas on time period?

Alan

[SophieB]

 :hi: Alan,

I agree with Alexander that this paperweight is from Galliano Ferro.The cushion (blue over white) is typical of that maker's work too.

Galliano Ferro was created in 1955 and still exists (but they do not make paperweights any longer it seems).

http://www.gallianoferro.it/

I vaguely remember been told that these paperweights were made in the 1970s/early 80s.

I really like this weight, too.

Congratulations on your new acquisition!! :hiclp:

Sophie
  

[tropdevin]

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Many thanks for the comments so far.  Here is a link to a paperweight that I feel sure is from the same stable (in Murano rather than 'Baccarat manner', although a Manor might have stables  ) - similar blue on white overlay/cushion, and similar cane style.

Alan

[alexander]

This last one is a typical GF design that I've seen several of with and without labels,
altho the facetting and cane setting is a bit poor for GF.

[Leni]

I have one like the ebay one.  It has a label on the bottom.  I call it my 'cup-cake'  weight, because the cane 'button' is small and floats in the middle of the weight like .... well .... a cup-cake!