Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Murano & Italy Glass => Topic started by: Ohio on September 17, 2010, 07:12:07 PM
-
Around here twice a year there is what is known as the Extravaganza where dealers & the public can setup, usually draws 1,500 outdoor displays. This morning I happened by when a couple in an SUV were unloading & selling off the antiques from an Aunt who moved into assisted living. Not much glass, however they did have these rather large 16" high, body over curves 22" & 4" diameter base, pair of Pheasants or Roosters, which they may be I don't know. They are what I would call Cranberry Opalescent. I know its very difficult to attribute these Murano birds, however this pair was quite a bit different in both size & color than I think I've ever run across so I am asking if these ring a bell with anyone as to manufacturer or glass house. Excuse the photos, but the subject matter is rather large. Thanks, Ken
-
I have no idea, but I must comment that although I generally do not care for figural glass..... I really like these and the colors...... Look to me to be of very high quality.....
My gut reaction is that someone will know (Anita where are you??), as the colors on these are quite different....
Nice find.....
-
Extremely nice birds you have there. They are indeed made by a good glass house. Barbini keeps coming to mind to me. But I know Anita will know for sure.
tam bam
-
Here I am, but I don't know how much help I can be. Their color is very nice. I have to ask about the eye, because I cannot see them well. Is it like a button with a raised pupil in the middle? These button-like eyes are a strong indicator that it is a JI Co (Blanco Glass) export -- whoever made these, I'm not sure. The pheasants made by them come in all types of colors and decoration, and they have different types of bases, but all that I've seen have the button-type eyes.
I have a picture (not mine) of a JI Co opal pheasant that is very much like yours, but the one in my picture has a glass ruffle around the shoulder. It has the same base and similar legs. If yours has button eyes, there is a good chance yours are also JI Co. Does anyone know if they made pheasants this large? All I've seen have been about 12" tall.
There are some JI Co pheasants at the bottom of https://sites.google.com/site/muranozoo/birds-reptiles-2. They aren't like yours, but you can check the eye. I don't know if any other companies had eyes like this. I have never seen them on Barbini, Salviati, or Seguso, but they may have been used by some others.
-
Anita...yes they do have what I would consider button eyes (attached pic) & what I think may be spurs at the base which might indicate a Rooster. I do know I can claim fame to a pair of the ugliest Murano birds, one in Peachblow & one in Burmese, the colors that were used to mimic U.S. art glass colors & I've never seen other examples. Their labels are still attached...Vetro Artistico Veneziano that is the company that flooded our art glass market with shall we say questionable Peachblow & Burmese pieces. Ken
-
The button eyes on yours look like they have gold. They aren't quite as high as the JI Co ones I've seen. I can't recall seeing a JI Co pheasant with gold in the eyes (but it may be that I just don't recall. :)) I wouldn't put these in the JI Co bin just yet. The legs are also different than the one I have a picture for.