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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: Della on July 10, 2006, 12:36:55 PM

Title: Chinese weights with Murano sticker?
Post by: Della on July 10, 2006, 12:36:55 PM
Hi All,

I don't want to put the cat among the pigeons here, especially as I am not a paperweight collector, but whilst in Venice I came accross these:

(http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10026/thumb_ppw1.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2518)(http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10026/thumb_ppw1b.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2517)(http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10026/thumb_ppw2%7E0.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2516)(http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10026/thumb_ppw2b.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2515)
 :shock: Click to enlarge :shock:

These were for sale in a shop, not by a shady market trader etc.
Chinese weights were for sale on Murano too, in the Galleries. They did not have a sticker on them saying Murano glass, but they were placed in amongst the Murano weights, with no indication that they were Chinese whatsoever. There were signs above the doors, as we entered into these Galleries, which stated that all their glass was genuine Murano made.
Title: Chinese weights with Murano sticker?
Post by: Leni on July 10, 2006, 02:42:17 PM
I've said it before, so you all know how I feel about this.  

At the end of the day, are the 'evil, deceiving' Chinese paperweight makers to blame, or is this an example of how the 'noble Muranese craftsmen' support their world-famous local industry?  How short-sighted!   :evil:
Title: Chinese weights with Murano sticker?
Post by: Frank on July 10, 2006, 03:05:15 PM
How much did you pay?

What is the shop, did you get a receipt (scan please)?

Were there any markings labels on the Murano ones?
Title: proof positive???
Post by: wrightoutlook on July 10, 2006, 03:15:38 PM
Is it absolutely agreed upon that the paperweights depicted are China-made?

And as an added note - maybe I'm joking - are there any Communist Chinese nationals or Taiwanese Chinese nationals working on Murano?
Title: Chinese weights with Murano sticker?
Post by: Della on July 10, 2006, 03:15:55 PM
Frank, thanks.

I didn't buy. The blue one was 8 euros and the orange one was 6.

I bought 2 sculptures and genuine Murano ones too.  :lol:

Some genuine Murano weights were signed, few had labels. Most shops placed their own sticker on anything that you purchased. One of my sculptures has the label on of the shop where I bought it (put on at the till)both have factory sticker and both are signed.

Just saw your question wrightoutlook.
We had a lovely conversation with a chap who has been in the glass business on Murano for 45 years. There are now only 14 families remaining on Murano who still pratice the trade. As for Chinese workers, I don't know, but I doubt it as most businesses are family run.
Title: Chinese weights with Murano sticker?
Post by: Frank on July 10, 2006, 05:20:39 PM
Quote from: "Deltab"
The blue one was 8 euros and the orange one was 6


It would seem unlikely that it could be sold at that price for a profit in a shop if they were locally made. You are talking about a 2-3 euros per weight wholesale!
Title: Re: proof positive???
Post by: Leni on July 10, 2006, 07:00:18 PM
Quote from: "wrightoutlook"
Is it absolutely agreed upon that the paperweights depicted are China-made?

And as an added note - maybe I'm joking - are there any Communist Chinese nationals or Taiwanese Chinese nationals working on Murano?

What, you don't think it's possible that native Muranese glassworkers could possibly turn out cheap, tacky, tourist cr*p?  

Believe me, I've been there, seen them, taken pictures!  (Video, unfortunately, so not easy to show an example here!)   :evil:

However, I think we're in no doubt that these weights were made in China and imported by unscrupulous Murano shopkeepers, out to make a fast buck, trading in on - and at the expence of - their centuries-old local art!   :x