Glass Message Board

Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: mnewton on July 03, 2006, 11:14:25 PM

Title: Need assistance - Original Creation by KB
Post by: mnewton on July 03, 2006, 11:14:25 PM
Good evening,
I was very excited to come across this forum in my search for information about a glass paperweight I received from the grandmother.  I do not have pictures yet but it has a label that is blue and silver and states "Original Creation by KB (in a quarterd shield) Made in Italy".  The weight itself has a blue and pink flower design with what look like laurel wreaths of millefiori glass (spelling?).  I will try to get some pictures taken but if anyone can give me a clue on where to find information on this weight I would be most thankful.
Thank you in advance for your time and attention.

Melissa Newton
Title: Need assistance
Post by: KevinH on July 03, 2006, 11:58:10 PM
Hi Melissa,

Photos would be good - of both the weight and the label.

We have a message in the "Murano" section of the Board which covers many Italian / Murano labels, but I don't recall any with "Original Creation by KB ...". (Perhaps I'll take another look soon.)
Title: those lively Italians
Post by: wrightoutlook on July 04, 2006, 01:01:25 AM
Again, we end up wishing ALL paperweights were signed.

Anyway, to agree with the above poster, if the label is as described, it's from the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon in Italy.

Can you post an image or two of the weight?
Title: Need assistance
Post by: mnewton on July 04, 2006, 01:03:50 AM
As soon as my husband gets home I will get pictures up on our web site and post the address.  Hopefully it won't be too late this evening, if so, check back tomorrow for sure.

Thank you all for your prompt replies, I am very impressed with the knowledgable and friendly folks here!

Melissa
Title: cool
Post by: wrightoutlook on July 04, 2006, 01:38:06 AM
Eager to see the paperweight. How do we find it? I see you have a website link, but will the weight be on the home page?
Title: Need assistance
Post by: JP on July 04, 2006, 01:56:12 AM
We have a Murano with the KB label, too. It's a flat finished opaque glass weight, very different, kind of funky. Don't know anything else about it. Here's a picture, sorry for the poor quality, but you can see the label.



(http://members.visi.net/~mobrooks/muranokb.jpg)
Title: Need assistance
Post by: mnewton on July 04, 2006, 03:38:51 AM
That is exactly the label that is on mine, but it does not have the Murano one.  We just took pictures and should have them up on the web site sometime soon.  I will post them here as soon as they are ready.

Thanks,
Melissa
Title: Need assistance
Post by: mnewton on July 04, 2006, 04:03:37 AM
I am not exactly sure if I am doing this right.  But here is the first picture.

http://www.beesandstuff.com/stuffgallery/albums/userpics/10001/paperweight-1.jpg
Title: Need assistance
Post by: mnewton on July 04, 2006, 04:05:53 AM
Here are two additional pictures.

http://www.beesandstuff.com/stuffgallery/albums/userpics/10001/paperweight-2.jpg

http://www.beesandstuff.com/stuffgallery/albums/userpics/10001/paperweight-3.jpg

Melissa
Title: Need assistance
Post by: JP on July 04, 2006, 12:26:53 PM
Wow, that's quite a bit different than the KB we have, and quite pretty. Those flower canes are very unusual and I love that wreath of leaves around the center cane. I look forward to hearing more about it from the experts:)
Title: as noted
Post by: wrightoutlook on July 04, 2006, 01:31:25 PM
I like this one a lot. As noted, it's Murano, from the glasssmaking island off of Venice, Italy.

It's quite beautiful. I love the blend of blue and pink. That style of millefiori cane seems to be from the 1950s or 1960s. But a Murano expert, and there are many good ones on this board, should know for sure. But, it is an earlier post-WWII Murano.
Title: Need assistance
Post by: KevinH on July 04, 2006, 04:10:02 PM
I have posted a comment in the Murano Glass forum and asked if somebody could take a look here and help out with the "creation by K B" label. I think it's an importer label but I can't find any info on it.
Title: Need assistance
Post by: mnewton on July 04, 2006, 04:56:04 PM
That is great Kevin, thanks for helping spread the word!

Melissa
Title: Need assistance
Post by: svazzo on July 05, 2006, 01:35:21 AM
Hello Melissa!
That is a great paperweight. I havent seen one like it before.
Javier
Title: Need assistance
Post by: chuggy on July 05, 2006, 09:30:36 PM
Kev I'm pretty sure the KB was either an importers or maybe even a retail label. I've seen it on Fratelli Toso pieces in the past including some of the later millefiori vases.
Hope this helps a tad.
Paul
Title: Need assistance
Post by: Frank on July 05, 2006, 10:01:27 PM
What is the date period? Labels look 50-60's to me. I will check some trade lists if I can have a closer date.
Title: Need assistance
Post by: mnewton on July 05, 2006, 11:29:32 PM
I got this from my grandmother, I have no idea how long she has had it or where it came from.  And unfortunately she is not a part of my life any longer so I can't get information from her.

And for anyone interested, I am looking to sell this piece.

Melissa
Title: email?
Post by: wrightoutlook on July 06, 2006, 11:26:44 PM
Pleased again I was the first to call something right about a paperweight. I had the date down to post WWII - probably 1950s or 1960s. Of course, they were making glass and weights in Venice/Murano in the 1930s and 1940s too. But the flower design is not standard 1970s and on fare.

What is your email address so that I can contact you? You have no email link here and your website doesn't seem to have one either, at least not one that's readily apparent. Thanks so much. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Title: Need assistance
Post by: mnewton on July 08, 2006, 02:05:31 AM
You can email me at Melissa no need to post your email address, spam robots will harvest it. You can change your profile to show your email address and then it is available as a button below your postings. I sent it to Wrightoutlook anyway. Moderator
Title: Need assistance
Post by: svazzo on July 10, 2006, 07:04:30 PM
Hey Frank,
I thought we were going in 2 separate directions, but we can do it here.
Javier
Title: Need assistance
Post by: KevinH on July 14, 2006, 01:18:11 PM
The KB label ...

From leads posted in the GMB, I checked with Molta Bella Glass at Trocadero.com and they kindly put me in touch with eBay member pwezgma (Robin) who has given permission for the following information to be posted here:

Quote
Hi Kevin,me again.I checked my records and KB did go out of business in 1977.They were exporters of good Murano glass and yes the label can be found on other pieces but mostly Toso.


So, it seems that the paperweights with the KB label are most likely Toso and and date to 1977 at the latest.

Robin also finished her message with some additional info on Balboa, which could be useful to some folk ...
Quote
Also just as a little info,if you ever see a green Balboa label on a piece,be advised that the Balboa family used to import Barovier and Barbini into the states.The old man of the family is still alive and lives in New York.He still goes to Italy to visit his old glass blowing friends.Some people think that Balboa was a glass blower,not so just an importer.Good luck Robin


[I have posted a copy of this message to the Murano board]