Topic: New Member Needs ID Help

[Glass Master]

A little background...I am a long time antiques dealer having specialized in furniture/furniture restorations for 34 years. The last couple years have been terrible so I switched to selling smalls on ebay.
I have always loved Murano pieces but have never taken the time to really learn the market or how to identify Murano pieces. I have bought and sold quite a few pieces but I'm sure could have attained better prices had I correctly identified my pieces.

What is the best method of identifying or attributing various pieces to certain artists? Is there a particular book anyone might suggest for ID purposes? I saw a few but they're expensive so I didn't want to just buy one then be disappointed.

I have tried searching but have found there are way too many examples which clogs up my search results without using specific terms i.e. a particular artist. I certainly don't want to constantly post here asking for a hand out.

....but, just this once, if you don't mind me asking...does anyone know anything about this pitcher? I think it's wonderful piece. Not asking for price, just an ID. Thanks and here's a link to pics:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/92559/coleman%20stove/IMG_5818.jpg?t=1323372731

The millefiori seems to float under the clear glass and over top of the brilliant colors.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/92559/coleman%20stove/IMG_5830.jpg?t=1323372220

[Glass Master]

Well my first post was a bust. I just noticed it plainly says "no id requests here please."

So sorry!!

So where do I post for ID  help?

[langhaugh]

Hi,

Welcome to the Board. The policy is that only confirmed Murano pieces are listed here. Items needing identification are put in the Glass section.  I'm sure a moderator will come along and move your post to the correct place. Then everything will be solved.

It's a very interesting piece in that black, or what looks like black, is unusual in Murano. It helps to have a photo of the base and to provide the dimensions.

To my eye, the piece looks like late 50's, early 60's playing off the designs of Anzola Fuga, but not by him. 

I've got about 20 books on Murano and they don't really make up for handling lots of Murano glass.  There's not really one book that would help you id every piece. Leslie Pina Italian Glass covers lower to mid price Murano, and is useful if not perfect. Marc Heiremans, Murano Glass:  Themes and Variations, explains the principle techniques used by Murano, which is necessary in id'ing the glass. Other books are more specialized and often cover the kind of glass that is very expensive and wouldn't often be sold on eBay.  If you do a search on Murano books on the Board, you'll get a few more books mentioned.

As someone who has bought Murano on eBay, I don't pay much attention to attributions as Murano glass on eBay is most often misattributed. I want good photographs from a number of angles and an accurate description. Good pieces seem to get higher prices than poorer pieces, so there must be some people how there who know what they are looking for.

Good luck,

David

 

[Glass Master]

Very helpful David. Thanks.

And I'm glad to know that I'm not the only ebay seller who mis identifies their Murano pieces.