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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: Angela B on September 09, 2006, 11:36:44 PM

Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: Angela B on September 09, 2006, 11:36:44 PM
Hi,
I have just bought this on ebay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150028917223
I remember reading somewhere about the method of drawing an airbubble up to make a stem, but I can't find the reference anywhere.  Have I got that right? And can anyone help me locate anything written about this kind of paperweight?
Many thanks
Angela
Title: italo grande
Post by: wrightoutlook on September 10, 2006, 02:55:48 AM
I'm thinking Murano, due to the green "flower pot" design, which is popular in Venetian paperweights. The flowers are also similar to those found in Italian work.
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: mjr on September 10, 2006, 03:05:26 PM
I saw this one on ebay and was interested. The flowers (and indeed the glass stem) indicate that it could be Frank Eisner who worked at Moncrieff in the 30s. I have  couple although they have coloured flowers and a speckled base.  Bob Hall's Scottish Paperweight book has pictures at the end  of the Ysart brothers section.  However these Eisner ones are similar to Bohemian so this may be from there. One for Kev H
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: KevinH on September 10, 2006, 03:54:53 PM
Hi Angela,

I think it is hard to say who made this weight, and when.

Peter Von Brackel's 1999 book, Paperweights Historicism Art Nouveau Art Deco 1842 to Present covers lots of European weights of this general type and shows many with the flower stems as elongated air bubbles. In most cases they have been attributed as "Bohemian / Silesian/ Czechoslovakian" and dated to "1900-1930".

The leaves in this example could be seen as a "less common" feature, but they do occur in a number of examples.

I have always thought that the stems were made by inserting a thin tool downwards into the centre of the petals. Where the petals were originally set with a gap at the centre, the stem will be just a long clear bubble. But where the petals are set together, the colour of the petals will also then be seen in the stem.

Martin ... The "Eisner" examples I have seen are not like this one. They do not show a small "pot", but usually have a substantial "mound" which spreads across most of the view from above. Also, the stems in those weights have the same colour as the petals - and where multi-coloured petals are used, the stems also show the mix of colours. By the way, I know of no proven evidence that Frank Eisner worked at Moncrieff's in the 1930s. The initial information about this seems to be uncorroborated.

wrightoutlook ... I would be grateful to learn of any examples of this type of weight from Murano. Are there any images or details available via the internet or in the books? I am ware of versions with single flowers made with cane petals and set over a froth of bubbles. But I have not yet seen any that look like the regular early 20th century "Bohemian etc" output.
Title: specific glassmaker
Post by: wrightoutlook on September 10, 2006, 05:25:10 PM
KevH - I wrote that I was thinking Murano based especially on the flower pot design. I've seen pieces like this here and there. I do think that if it leans to Murano, it's the work of a specific maker - or glassmakers associated with him - namely Franco Schiavon. He did flowers like that.
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: Frank on September 10, 2006, 09:05:37 PM
Still working on Frank and Eric Eisner. See this thread http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,2287.0.html I update as new information comes in.

The only corroboration re Frank working at Moncrieff was that he went in at weekends and made friggers, unfortunately most fratured in the annealling oven, as the only metal available to him was MS1 which was incompatible with colours. The assumption is that he retired to Perth but I am still trying to work out where he went after Waterford. Eric would not have made weights.
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: KevinH on September 10, 2006, 09:18:58 PM
Frank's info re Frank Eisner refers to the 1960s. It's the 1930s idea that has not been confirmed.
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: Frank on September 10, 2006, 09:27:14 PM
I thought I had confirmed he was not at Moncrieffs before WW2
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: KevinH on September 10, 2006, 09:30:06 PM
Hi wrightoutlook,

Thanks for the info re Franco Schiavon. The only knowledge I have of him and his work is from web pages detailing how he trained under the Japanese master, Tsuchida Yasuhiko. And the references indicate that Schiavon pieces are intricate art work of high value.

Can you shed any more light on Schiavon making "flowers-in-pots" weights? Are there any images or text anywhere?
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: mjr on September 11, 2006, 11:58:52 AM
Kev

Difference in base noted. Mine have full coloured base  Which is why I put "might" !     The 1930's reference is in Bob Hall' book.  I had forgotten about all the detective work recently done.

I'll get my coat
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: Frank on September 11, 2006, 12:42:04 PM
The source of the misinformation told me that while he had interviewed Eric, he had not specifically asked about his fathers' paperweights. Although he was told about them, he later made an assumption that Frank had been at Moncrieff's in the 1930's.
Title: Can you help me identify this paperweight?
Post by: KevinH on September 11, 2006, 09:56:57 PM
Thanks for tidying that up, Frank. (I had forgotten you had extra info showing the 1930s dating to be misinformation.)
Title: on the prowl
Post by: wrightoutlook on September 12, 2006, 12:13:42 AM
Slowly working my way through books; plus other advertising and brochure information I've got in my file cabinets.