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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: paperweights on October 12, 2012, 12:33:31 AM

Title: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: paperweights on October 12, 2012, 12:33:31 AM

I really wanted this one, but not enough to bid that high.  I have never seen this before.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251162286470 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/251162286470)

Title: Re: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: mildawg on October 12, 2012, 02:55:42 AM

Yes. I was shocked to see that. I thought it might go for 300 but wow. I have never seen one as well.

Title: Re: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: Sach on October 12, 2012, 03:14:13 AM

Wow, last I looked it was at $600.00.  I thought that was high!

Title: Re: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: tropdevin on October 12, 2012, 06:12:40 AM

***

I would have liked it too! Never seen one like it - plenty of scrambles, but no dragonflies!

Alan

Title: Re: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: SophieB on October 12, 2012, 12:52:01 PM

Hi there,

It is fair to say that I would have found space also in my collection for this lovely weight... If I were earning a considerably larger salary...

SophieB

Title: Re: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: paperweights on October 12, 2012, 03:30:47 PM

A more frequently seen motif is a butterfly over a scramble or a butterfly over a flower.  I assume everyone has seen those.

Title: Re: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: alpha on October 12, 2012, 04:13:39 PM

Allan, aren't the butterfly examples of modern production? I though that the dragonfly was vintage 1930's due to the type of scrambled ground. A vintage 1930's butterfly would be pretty scarce too, I would think.

Tropdevin and I had discussed this weight when it was first listed becaue of his upcoming article on Chinese weights in the PCA Bulletin. I had thought that it would go at the $400 level, but that was obviously a bit off the final mark of $1100.

Title: Re: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: paperweights on October 13, 2012, 01:45:29 AM

My example, which I believe to be 1930s, is a butterfly over a flower with a frit ground.  The frit ground appears to be made of pieces of millefiori.  The bottom is flat and scratch signed "China"

It looks horrible in pictures because it was made in two steps.  First the flower paperweight was made, then the lampwork butterfly was added and encased again.  You can see the inner surface that the butterfly rests on.  No effort was made to keep it clear and clean.

It is 3 1/8" diameter by 2 1/8" high.

Larger pictures below:

http://paperweights.com/pw756sm.jpg (http://paperweights.com/pw756sm.jpg)

http://paperweights.com/pw756side.jpg (http://paperweights.com/pw756side.jpg)

http://paperweights.com/pw756c.jpg (http://paperweights.com/pw756c.jpg)

http://paperweights.com/pw756bot.jpg (http://paperweights.com/pw756bot.jpg)

Title: Re: Chinese Dragonfly Paperweight on eBay
Post by: alpha on October 14, 2012, 02:57:08 PM

Hi Allan.

I would agree that your butterfly is 1930's and a special one at that. Have you spoken to Tropdevon about whether he wants an image for his article.