Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: Bluebarntrading on January 11, 2012, 09:43:22 PM
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I recently stumbled across this mushroom shaped paperweight at a local antique store. I loved the shape and lace work but the owner knew little about it.
I am hoping that someone here can help me identify the maker, age, value or any other info would be greatly appreciated.
The height is 4 7/8 inches, the widest part is 3 1/4 inches across, the base is 2 1/2 inches across.
Thanks for taking a look!
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A base closeup photo would be usefull. Regards Roger.
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Hi Bluebarntrading, welcome to the Board.
In addition to Roger's request for a detailed photo of the base, it would be useful to see photos of:
- full side view
- detail of the "fruit" (?) over the lace
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Here are some more photos. having a bit of trouble with the sizing. Thanks again for taking a look.
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I'm pretty sure this is a Murano paperweight judging from the "fruits" .
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In general looks like murano,the base and latticino, but havent seen one that shape before. Roger.
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The shape is the main reason that I picked it up. It struck me as being unusual.
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Fratelli Toso. I have a picture of one that is labeled. It is just the same, but without the pedestal.
When latticino is like this, do we call it muslin?
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Hi Tx, Fratelli Toso eh, wouldnt have known that, is he still making weights?
As regards the lace/muslin/filigree/latticino I dont know that either. they seem fairly interchangable.
Latticino seems Italian based (Latin) for lattice work?.
Filigree in the dictionary is described as ornamental lace like work in metal?
Muslin seems to denote a dense covering of lace?
Lace seems to convey a light covering of latticino?
I believe I'm going around in circles but its fun.
Regards Roger Roundabout.
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When latticino is like this, do we call it muslin?
Possibly. However, this Fratelli Toso version is not as fine as in many of the antique French weights, which defintely gave an appearance of a fine lacy ground. When the latticino is a bit "chunky" I prefer the term "a bed (or ground) of latticino". "Muslin" ground weights are also called "Upset Muslin".
I'm not sure of the origin, or whether it was a collector or a factory term, but it was certainly used in old auction catalogues from the mid-20th century.
Latticino seems Italian based (Latin) for lattice work?.
Latticino (or latticinio) is Italian for white, or milk, glass. It's the white of the twists that gives rise to the use of the word for these pieces. Also note that "filigree" is just an English translation of the Italian "filigrana" which actually covers both white and coloured twists.
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Hi Tx, Fratelli Toso eh, wouldnt have known that, is he still making weights?
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Fratelli Toso is one of the old Murano companies. They are still in business, but not as productive as they once were. Fratelli is Italian for brothers, so the company name simply means the Brothers Toso.
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I don't wish to cause conflict or throw a spanner in the works :-\ but I thought Lattimo was for white or milk glass.
I thought filigrana were the type of lacy canes used and could denote coloured or white. So they would be coloured filigrana or lattimo filigrano?
but not latticino
did I misunderstand somewhere? Is lattimo just used for solid pieces of milk glass then?
m
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Some people refer to latticino as only the white. Other people include the colored type as well. This makes sense, really, because the colored variety is often made by using colored lattimo. The color is either on the surface or in the filaments themselves. Lattimo in the US is called milk glass. Colored milk glass is called things like black milk glass, pink milk glass, etc. The same can, in my mind, be said for latticino. Insisting the lattimo only be the white variety may be being a bit too picky.
I don't think either school of thought is wrong. One can get around the words by calling the twists zanfirico. The only problem here is when it comes to selling. People usually use the keyword "latticino," and not "zanfirico." So merchants use latticino for the sake of the people looking for this type glass.
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:) thanks Anita - I had become really confused about the terminology :ooh:
m