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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Murano & Italy Glass => Topic started by: TxSilver on April 16, 2010, 12:08:47 AM

Title: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: TxSilver on April 16, 2010, 12:08:47 AM
I have a puzzling Fratelli Toso bird. Most FT birds I see have tails that end in a rounded point. This one looks like it was snipped, then smoothed. I thought I would get some other opinions. Are these type birds made by pulling the tail, snipping, and smoothing? or has the tail been broken and smoothed to camouflage damage? This is the first bird like this one that I've had in hand. (This isn't a test. I'm just looking for others' opinions.)
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: Lily of the Valley on April 17, 2010, 09:30:04 PM
Hi, Anita.  My first thought .... broken tail.  I would think the tail would be similar to the wing tips.  Flat seems to interrupt the flow of the glass.  (Does that make any sense?)  Would you post another photo or two showing different angles.

Lily :)
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: glasslover on April 17, 2010, 11:37:15 PM
I agree, a couple of different views would be helpful to assess proportion, etc. Probably a dumb question, but it's not an open tube, is it, as in the Cenedese bird vases?
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: TxSilver on April 17, 2010, 11:57:53 PM
No problem to post a couple of extra pictures. The pictures from the front and back are the only ones that show the angle of the tail. From the side, it looks pointed and round like the wings. You had the same thoughts as I did, Lily. The seller had another bird with a tail even more blunt, so I believe she sold in good faith. My thoughts were that both of them may have had a broken, smoothed tail. The one I didn't buy had a broken bill in addition to the blunt tail.

There is a chance that these type birds were pullled and snipped blunt. I don't know why it would be done that way, but I know some animals have snipped tails, e.g. Gambaro & Poggi horses and some Barovier 1930s pieces. The bird didn't cost much, so I'm not so worried about that -- it had a nice place in the zoo. I just don't know if my instincts that it is repaired are correct.
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: kane_u_pain on April 18, 2010, 04:01:58 AM
The proportions actually look good. It is possible it could be pulled and snipped. I am assuming this is a more modern piece tx? 70's to 80's plus? I am not familiar with animals though...
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: Lily of the Valley on April 18, 2010, 09:34:18 PM
Even though the proportions do look correct, the tail still looks incomplete.  If it is indeed broken, then it seems to be only a very small piece.  It's a nice bird.  I especially like how each bubble has its own 'nest' to sit in.  Is there a term to describe this effect?

Lily :)
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: soledivo on April 25, 2010, 11:33:19 PM
Anita I saw a bird recently with the same "open" end to the tail.
really sorrry I can't tell you any more details,

Hopefully when i get back to the land of the living I can be more helpfull.

That is a stunning piece of work, I could look at that bird all day

martin
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: TxSilver on April 26, 2010, 03:05:22 AM
Thanks, everyone. It is a beautiful bird. FT did such a good job on their bullicante pieces. I had a basket like this one time. I still cry when I remember it went for $9 on eBay. I've wondered how the artisans were able to work the pigment around the bubbles.

I've had a couple of animals with blunt tails. I've not been sure if they were made that way or damaged. I've seen videos where the glassmaker pulls the tail, then snips. I guess the end depends on where the cut was made. It would be nice to find an undamaged mate for this bird so I could see another tail end. Besides that, it's nice to have a pair when possible. (I worry about a single one getting lonely.  :'( I must be getting a bit birdy in the head.)
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: johnphilip on April 26, 2010, 07:29:40 AM
Hi Anita i am sure over the many years i have been collecting i have seen several different birds with a tail exactly like yours , sorry not your tail your birds tail .  ;D :angel: :thup: jp
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: johnphilip on April 27, 2010, 05:33:59 PM
Two typical Murano Phesants come to mind . :-\
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: TxSilver on April 27, 2010, 07:34:42 PM
Two typical Murano Phesants come to mind . :-\

<scratch head> You lost me here, jp.
Title: Re: Fratelli Toso Bird Tail -- okay or repaired?
Post by: johnphilip on April 27, 2010, 08:04:19 PM
Sorry , i remember sometime ago seeing a pair of pheasants with tails sheared at an angle ,one going up from left to right and the other down left to right .