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Author Topic: What do you think this is?  (Read 5616 times)

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Offline Wuff

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What do you think this is?
« on: September 19, 2011, 09:58:15 PM »
http://cgi.ebay.ch/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120775769466

I am on purpose not stating what I think it is (though I know for sure) - don't want to introduce any bias.

Seller insists this must be genuine Murano because he bought it in a shop in Murano.

Any opinions?
Wolf Seelentag, St.Gallen
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Offline KevinH

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2011, 10:06:09 PM »
The seller's comment could well be correct.

It is well known that Chinese items have been sold in some Murano outlets for many years. It has annoyed many of the Murano folk as well as many people in the collecting world.
KevinH

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Offline Frank

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2011, 10:34:13 PM »
How Hi.


Incidentally there was a huge fuss over this a few years back, with police action regarding the false labelling. Yet never heard of a result, I guess everyone got paid off.

I also mentioned the false labelling by reputable companies many years ago on the GMB but no one believed me.

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Offline Wuff

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2011, 05:57:51 PM »
Thank you for your comments ... but ...
The seller's comment could well be correct.
... I have not questioned the story (being bought in Murano) - only the conclusion drawn from it.

I had offered the seller a "second opinion" on my attribution. Although your comments imply an attribution to a certain origin for the serious collector, this may not be clear to anyone dealing with paperweights only occasionally - therefore it would be nice if both of you could actually spell out your attribution.

And others are also invited to comment: the more "second opinions", the better >:D.
Wolf Seelentag, St.Gallen
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Offline tootingpf

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2011, 06:19:02 PM »
Hi!

I'm sure I read somewhere about a new label being introduced and monitored to ensure, 'genuine' Murano paperweights can be identified.  Never heard how that went though.

Was in Murano a year or two back and, have to say, I was saddened by the poor quality of most of the weights on sale.

I've bought some lovely Murano weights in the past (which I presume were genuine!!!) but they're harder to find now.

Looking on the bright side, maybe the qaulity of the Chinese ones will improve...

Graham

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Offline casalibre

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2011, 06:27:17 PM »
Hallo Wolfgang!
In my opinion:
It looks like Chinese.
It taste like Chinese.
It sounds like Chinese.
So: it will be Chinese!

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Offline KevinH

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2011, 06:29:02 PM »
Wolf - my comment was intended to point out that the seller's conclusion that "it is a Murano weight since it was bought in Murano" would be a reasonable thought if they were not aware of all the Chinese weights that have been sold in Murano over many years. And I do believe the weight in question is modern Chinese (or from Taiwan).

Graham - the quality of many Chinese weights has already improved over the past few years and there are some very good examples to be found at low cost - an excellent way of forming a collection.
KevinH

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Offline chopin-liszt

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2011, 06:33:22 PM »
Hi Wolf,

I think it is absolutely classically distinctive of Chinese work. I recognise the canes and the colours.
I think it's an older one, but I may be wrong.

 :huh:  I thought there had been an area of China renamed Murano and/or Italy in order to get around the legal labelling thing.
I haven't managed to verify this, I'm not that hot at google mappy things!
Cheers, Sue M. (she/her)

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Offline Wuff

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2011, 07:45:58 PM »
I think it is absolutely classically distinctive of Chinese work. I recognise the canes and the colours.
I think it's an older one, but I may be wrong.

Anne Metcalfe shows in her "A Collector's Guide: Paperweights of the 19th & 20th Centuries" four examples as representative for Chinese weights:

1. A "Chinese White" - truly a Chinese speciality, mainly in the 1930ies.

2. A flower bouquet - copying antique French weights, also mainly in the 1930ies.

3. Stylised flowers with butterflies (bees also being very popular) - modern (post WW II) .... and

4. the type of weight in question here - also modern (post WW II): always with these yellow/red stars and green leaves, often with other additions (e.g. rose or bird canes).

So my "diagnosis" was - definitely Chinese, second half last century - whether it was bought in Murano or not.

Thank you for all your comments!
Wolf Seelentag, St.Gallen
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Offline Roger H

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Re: What do you think this is?
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2011, 08:09:33 PM »
         Its as you say chinese sold in murano, its difficult to imagine now, but there was a time I was impressed by the "complicity" of the canes and would have purchased one. But we advance from there given time and dont even give them a second glance.
        Just think about the first weight you purchased. Mine was a deep ruby weight with swirling bubbles inside that could only be seen when held to the light. I had to dig deep for £2.50. That was 25 years ago. I now mainly concentrate on good quality scottish.
               Mmmmmmmmm that was rather nostalgic. Roger.

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