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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: tropdevin on August 01, 2013, 01:31:21 PM

Title: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: tropdevin on August 01, 2013, 01:31:21 PM
Hi

I have an unusual antique millefiori mushroom paperweight I cannot ID.  It has an extremely well made torsade, star cut base, not lead glass (SG 2.480, similar to a number of other unusual antiques). The glass has a distinct blue tinge. The millefiori tuft has been heated a bit much and swirled a little, and the air ring balloons on one side (not uncommon even with the best makers).

Diameter 3 1/4 inch / 84 mm; height 2 inch / 50 mm.

My feeling is 'Bohemian', but I cannot place the canes, and I would welcome other views.

Alan
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: w8happiness on August 01, 2013, 01:48:48 PM
Hi Alan,

this is a very nice one! Well if the SG is that low, there is a chance that it is "Bohemian"-
some of the canes remind of Riedel, also the bluish/green glass and the pale colours...

I vote for Riedel, but let's hear further opinions,

kind regards Erhard 
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: pooleandpaperweights on August 01, 2013, 02:26:08 PM
Antique Baccarat.  Google baccarat mushroom and you will find others

Ian
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: tropdevin on August 01, 2013, 05:07:49 PM
***

Hi Ian.

I am 100% certain it is not an antique Baccarat mushroom.  I have had quite a few of them (I have 2 in stock at the moment), and they are all heavy lead crystal, have a different dome shape, and contain very obviously Baccarat canes.  This is different on all counts - hence my posting it here.

Alan
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: pooleandpaperweights on August 01, 2013, 05:11:05 PM
Didn't even notice it was you who posted it Alan.

Someone must be "taking inspiration" from Baccarat!
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: Nick77 on August 02, 2013, 03:07:18 PM
Hi Alan

I wondered if it was St Mande, the blue and white multiple flower cane looks to be the same as in a close pack in Bob Halls World paperweights p63 top right, then a quick google found this in Selmans 2001 sale has similarities perhaps?
http://www.lhselmanltd.com/auc25/14.html (http://www.lhselmanltd.com/auc25/14.html)

Nick
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: pooleandpaperweights on August 02, 2013, 03:50:47 PM
Nice find Nick, and would tie in with being a "copy" of a Baccarat one.

Now does anyone have the realised prices for that auction?

Ian
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: tropdevin on August 02, 2013, 04:16:18 PM
***

Hi Nick

Many thanks.  I think it is from the same stable as the Selman one - the torsade is near identical, as is the overall style - and some St Mandé / Grenelle paperweights have blue tinged glass.  What is odd is that mine is not lead glass, whereas all the St Mandé paperweights I have seen have been.  Back in 2001 I am not sure the ID proposed by Selman was any more confident than 'maybe'...two lots later there is a Reidel, signed 'R', which they have just called 'Bohemian'. I suspect the glass colour guided them in the direction of St M for the mushroom.  Knowledge of the more obscure factories has moved on a bit during the last decade, and I am very wary of ID given that far back.

But St Mandé is well worth investigating further.

Alan
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: Nicholas. on August 02, 2013, 09:15:04 PM
Hi Alan,

Could it be from the same makers as this weight of mine, which I always believed to be Bohemian?

Nicholas
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: tropdevin on August 02, 2013, 10:13:42 PM
***

Hi Nicholas.

Looks very, very similar to me. All we to do now is identify the maker...I think 'Bohemian' is probably favourite, but there are other runners.

Alan
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: paperweights on August 03, 2013, 04:17:38 AM
Lot 65 in the Selman auction referenced sold for $1,210 including the buyers premium
Title: Re: Millefiori mushroom torsade - ID ?
Post by: pooleandpaperweights on August 03, 2013, 01:30:14 PM
So you are going against the Selman attribution of St Mande then?

There I was thinking Selman could never be questioned.......!