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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: lenore on August 26, 2006, 11:30:27 PM

Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: lenore on August 26, 2006, 11:30:27 PM
Hi,
Hope everyone is having a nice weekend! Found this signed Venini paperweight at an estate sale today. It has the engraved "venini italia" signature from 1965-1970. The orange-red colored canes are so vibrant. Anyway, does anyone know what the proper name of the millefiori technique is? Is it scrambled or what? Here are some pics (you may click on the thumbnails to enlarge). Many thanks,
Lenore
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/th_veniniwt.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/veniniwt.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/th_veniniwtcloseup.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/veniniwtcloseup.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/th_veniniwttop.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/veniniwttop.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/th_veninipwtsig.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/veninipwtsig.jpg)
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: Anne on August 26, 2006, 11:58:49 PM
Hi Lenore, As someone who knows very little about these things I'm going to stick my head over the parapet wall and say I don't think it's scrambled - they are the all jumbled up ones I'm sure. Perhaps close-pack might be nearer?  

Someone who knows more than I do about paperweights will be able to tell you for sure though (that'll be 99% of the board then!) ;) :lol:
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: svazzo on August 27, 2006, 08:52:53 AM
Hi Lenore,
Good to hear from another Floridian :)
Well, you mighty want to post this on the Paperweight Forum.
There you wont have a problem getting a name for the design of the weight. You already know its Venini, so do you want me to move it there?
Javier
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: lenore on August 27, 2006, 03:52:45 PM
Hi Javier,
Thanks a great idea! :idea:
I wasn't even aware that Venini made millefiori weights so I was quite pleased to find this one.
Thanks for the help!
Lenore 8)
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: RAY on August 27, 2006, 04:52:56 PM
sorry but i'm 100% sure that it's a fake sig
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: lenore on August 27, 2006, 05:33:00 PM
Hi Ray,
I am curious to get your thoughts on the signature.
Thanks!
Lenore
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: RAY on August 27, 2006, 05:57:54 PM
because the weight looks modern chinese
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: lenore on August 27, 2006, 06:01:53 PM
Yet, the signature looks good for a Venini piece from 1965-1970. Anyone have any Venini catalogs from that era?
Thanks,
Lenie
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: RAY on August 27, 2006, 06:23:42 PM
there's only one dot above one of the two I 's
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: Frank on August 27, 2006, 06:36:52 PM
Signature looks to be Dremel, how did Venini sign theirs?
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: lenore on August 27, 2006, 06:42:00 PM
Here is a website that towards the bottom shows the engraved Venini signature.... http://www.jetsetmodern.com/greatglass1.htm
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: RAY on August 27, 2006, 06:43:06 PM
they did use a vibro point, just taking some photos
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: RAY on August 27, 2006, 06:48:20 PM
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/yorkshirebob/th_70e35b79.jpg) (http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/yorkshirebob/70e35b79.jpg)
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: lenore on August 27, 2006, 09:04:42 PM
I have sent the pics to a Venini collector and he feels it is genuine. Also, if you take a look at many of the pieces with this signature (like the Occhi vase), it is like the one that is on this weight. Back to my original question, what is the technique on the millefiori?
Thanks, Lenore
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: KevinH on August 27, 2006, 11:03:25 PM
Hi Lenore,

The "technical" term for the pattern of this weight is "Carpet Ground", which is used when the entire pattern covers the whole of the view and is made up of the same canes. But for the better carpet ground weights (French 19th century, for example) the pattern will include other canes set within the "carpet" - such as in this St Louis weight:
http://www.kevh.clara.co.uk/exhib99/Antique/French/StLouis/SLCarpet25.htm

I know very little about Murano weights and so I cannot say whether yours is or is not by Venini. However, Ray is correct in pointing out that the Chinese have made this style of weight. I have a trade catalogue from Zibo Zhaohai Light Industrial Products, dated 2000, which shows several very similar weights.

This scan shows just two examples, which are actually very well formed (at least, from the top view):
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-3014

I was a bit concerned about the look of the base of your weight as it seems to have a non-round finish and also has what look like "bevelled" parts. And there does not appear to be any obvious wear to the base, either, suggesting a modern item (or one kept in a cabinet all its life?).
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: lenore on August 27, 2006, 11:38:49 PM
Here is a pic of a Venini decanter we had that has the engraved signature that didn't have two dots over the i.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/th_veninidecantersig.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/alavintage1/veninidecantersig.jpg)
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: chuggy on August 28, 2006, 06:36:57 PM
Just to stick my oar in on this one, though my paperweight knowledge is minimal, below is a picture of a Venini weight I own and though this has the acid circular signature from the 1950's which I'm pretty sure is OK, the level of decoration within the weight is not what I'd have expected for the usual Venini standards. I'm wondering therefore since cane weights are far from the norm for Venini if these were only done for commisions maybe for trade freebies if that may explain the suspect quality. Just a thought.

http://i8.tinypic.com/25u4s2v.jpg

Paul
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: svazzo on August 29, 2006, 05:30:17 AM
Hi Everyone!
Just took a peak at the Paperweight forum and saw this topic took off in a few directions I wansnt even thinking about....
As for the Venini weights, I do have to say I've seen, at auction, a few paperweights signed and with the "carpet ground" listed before. Within the last 3 months there have been 2 of them if Im not mistaken. The 2 of them were completely white (also with the "carpet ground"), which is a color I would think Venini would use for their weights. I didnt look closely at how they were signed. Now I think I really should have because it would have been a great help on this case.
The only others I've seen signed have been newer weights in the form of disks with a totally different signature. Those were very colorful.

As far as it being a fake? I have no idea.
All the Venini signatures I have on my items look etched in, not drilled, except for a Venini fazzoletto vase dated 2000.

Paul, thats an interesting weight? Is it initails on top?

Javier
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: chuggy on August 29, 2006, 03:32:30 PM
Yes initialled MA which makes me think a commisioned piece for a company or organisation.
On the engraved signatures on Venini these are nearly always accompanied by a date.
Paul
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: lenore on September 03, 2006, 01:18:13 PM
Hi Everyone,
I really don't know what to think at this point! I would like to sell this weight but now I am not sure whether I can call it a Venini weight. Oh well!
Lenore
Title: Unusual Venini Paperweight
Post by: Leni on September 03, 2006, 08:57:33 PM
My inclination is that this is a Chinese weight, but Jackie is the person to ask.  

I know she is a busy person, but try sending her an email and asking what she thinks.   Her website is http://www.muranopaperweights.co.uk/