Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: Gilead on September 17, 2008, 05:52:24 PM
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Hi
I know nil about paperweights, so i am hoping i can be helped with the proof of this paper weight which i bought as a Whitefriars Weight the cane's are a yellowy green outer sigle green in the middle with like a white flower,
The base is finished flat and polished the canes seems to jump out at you when you look at it, and if you move it they seem to part, this paper weight is quite heavy at 614g and is 3.1/4 inches in width.
There 85 canes inthe 6 rows. if all this help. please take a look at the photos and let me know your opinions.
Cheers
steve
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Hi Steve
Not Whitefriars I am afraid. The base of your weight appears absolutely flat - Whitefriars weights have a VERY distinctive button as shown in this photo. For my money, from the canes and the flat base, your weight appears to be a Murano.
Best regards
Derek
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Hi Derek.
I have just put a steel rule over the base and for sure it is as flat as can be.
So you would take a guess at it being Murano, then it looks good and feels good, are they very collectable. this is in mint condition. very clear glass canes stand out well any idea of the age please.
cheers steve
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Definitely (well, 99% sure) Murano. I have not seen many of these basic concentric design weights, but that does not mean they are rare! I believe they are from one (or more) of the better makers around the mid-20th century. Most likely better quality tourist gift weights.
The fact that these do not appear in most of the regular books on paperweights could be an indication of how "collectable" they are, or it could just mean that they are collected by many folk but have not been considered as candicates for inclusion in specialist books.
I have one which I bought from a collectot friend (who visits this board) and when he bought it it was labelled up, or said to be, Scottish Vasart. I knew it was not Vasart but it took a while for me to find out it was Murano. Mine has different canes in each of the circles but the overall appearance and mid-way setting of the canes is typical.
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Hi KevH.
Thank you for the info. it is most interesting, as i do not collect paper weights i was only taking a chance when buying it, as it looked nice when it came i was surprised as to how wonderful it looked, i can see why people collect them.
The canes and pattern just jumps out at you, in fact when looking at it your eyes go funny, i do not think it will be with me long either be going on ebay or my sister will claim it, when she sees it. Do you hazzard a guess whom made it, ie who were or are the better makers of these?
Cheers
Steve.
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Hi Steve
Difficult to give any firm indication on date because, as KevH says, your weight which is a simple concentric is quite an unusual design for Murano! The setup is very neat and tidy so clearly some care has been been taken in making the weight unlike many of the "tourist" weights - so a "better" maker and I would hazard a guess at 1970's or 1980's.
The small island of Murano has something like 150 firms but the vast majority do not make their canes but buy them in from specialist makers on the island. This has always been the way right back to the very early days when in the early 1840's, Pietro Bigaglia used canes made by Giovanni Franchini in the first paperweights so be made in Murano. There are probably as few as 4 or 5 firms that make canes on the island, so its highly unlikely that it would be possible to identify the firm who made this weight yet alone the maker!
The "quality" firms that are usually encountered are ALT and 3-Fiori. Would be worth your while contacting Jackie at : www.muranopaperweights.co.uk to see if she can shed any more light on your weight.
Best regards
Derek
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I've bought canes from Moretti Glass in Murano almost 20 years ago. They've made canes for a loooooong time. They also sold under several different names at different times. I can't tell if this is one of theirs or not. I never got them to work for me as their glass had a very high COE and wasn't compatible with any of the clear crystal that I normally use.
Tom Fuhrman
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Hi Tom
Moretti is now owned by Effetre and has a COE of 104. Most other crystal is around COE 90. Borosilicate and pyrex Glass is around COE 33. The bags of cut cane offered on E-bay appear to be Moretti.
Best regards
Derek
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Hi Derek
i got in touch with Jakie as you suggested and she was just off for a little break, so she will let me know what she as found out when she comes back, or what she knows, cant wait.
Have trawled though loads of sites since i bought this and still cant find one the same or simular, will keep looking though.
cheers for the help so far
Steve
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I recall having a similar weight a few years ago, and was 99.9% sure it was Murano - maybe from the 1960s / 1970s.
Alan
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Hi Derek
Got my reply from Jackie today, and yes it is Murano, and quite a nice one, she said (could be Seguso That is not a quote mind as she can not say for sure,) but can say it is a genuine quality Murano weight, any ways i managed to buy a WF weight the other day and i am now waiting for it to arrive once here i will post it so you may see it.
From the price she said the Murano is about worth, and what i paid i got a true bargain, but alas it has to go to bring down the cost of the WF one, so ebay here it comes soon, that is if the lady up the road is no longer interested,
Steve
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Hi Steve
Glad Jackie was able to tie it down - she is a very useful source of info on Murano.
Prices being achieved for most weights on E-bay are very depressed currently and I count Murano amongst those. Also dont forget to factor in the e-bay/paypal charge for selling the weight. A private sale is often a far better bet if you have a buyer lined up.
Best regards
Derek
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HI Derek.
Yes she was most helpful i promised i would send a photo of the Whitefriars weight i purchased, as likes to look at them it as arrived today so will post it soon for you to see, thought i had a buyer for the Murano weight but alas she as been shy to buy, as they say.
So will have to wait or i may put in the for sale section on here later to see if any one is interested.
Cheers Steve