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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: wolkenreb on February 14, 2012, 08:25:12 PM

Title: Pirelli millefiori bar tool/bottle opener?
Post by: wolkenreb on February 14, 2012, 08:25:12 PM
Can anyone tell me if this bottle opener could be/is from the range sold by Pirelli?  I've checked previous relevant posts and other Pirelli info and it seems to fit (I don't know if the red 'star' shaped bit covering the bottom is a pointer?).  The metal bit doesn't have 'Made in England' stamped on it though, which it seems it should.  Any info would be appreciated!  :X:
Title: Re: Pirelli millefiori bar tool/bottle opener?
Post by: KevinH on February 14, 2012, 11:58:34 PM
I know of no way to tell if such an item may have been marketed through Pirelli, unless a Pirelli label is attached - and so far I have personally not seen that label on any of these bar tools. [But perhaps somebody will now point one out, showing that my memory really is fading. :)]

The red base of the weight section is just a red base and is quite common on Vasart Ltd paperweights.
Title: Re: Pirelli millefiori bar tool/bottle opener?
Post by: paperweights on February 15, 2012, 05:19:02 AM
The bar tools were made by Lassman & Co. in London.  They bought the paperweight heads from George Dunlop who used the Pirelli label.  Lassman family lore is that the paperweight handles were made in Italy, but that may have been because of the Pirelli name.  It is possible that Dunlop also distributed the finished product, but I know of no labeled examples. 

See my web page on the subject:

http://paperweights.com/lassman.htm (http://paperweights.com/lassman.htm)

There are claims that assembly was also done at Vasart or Strathearn.  In my correspondence with them, the Lassman family was quite firm in stating that that they did not sell the metal parts to anyone, but may have sold completed sets and individual finished items to Dunlop. 

The exception is the gearshift knob which was not a Lassman product.  If you compare examples with the original boxes, you can see that the packaging for the bar tools and the gearshifts if different.   The bar tools were all packed in a fabric lined box or in a fitted case.  The gearshift knob was packed in a rather plain cardboard box. 
Title: Re: Pirelli millefiori bar tool/bottle opener?
Post by: wolkenreb on February 15, 2012, 01:58:12 PM
Thank you both for your replies.  I wasn't even sure that the paperweight top was Vasart, so I know more about it now than I did.  Maybe a labelled Pirelli tool will emerge one of these days, if we're lucky.
Title: Re: Pirelli millefiori bar tool/bottle opener?
Post by: Max on February 15, 2012, 03:46:57 PM
More information and images on Frank Andrew's site:

http://www.ysartglass.com/Vascat/VasF001.htm  - images

http://www.ysartglass.com/Ysart/Vasartglass.htm  - info under title 'The Paperweights'


Title: Re: Pirelli millefiori bar tool/bottle opener?
Post by: wolkenreb on February 15, 2012, 06:06:57 PM
Thanks Max.