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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: David555 on March 29, 2006, 01:30:34 AM

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: David555 on March 29, 2006, 01:30:34 AM

Hi

An interesting paperweight here – 2.5” diam, 2” high – flat polished base with quite nice canes. In fact a well made paperweight, Italian (Venice /Murano) manufacture I can tell from the canes/cane colours and glass.

The label is interesting – silver foil of 1960s / 70s type with appropriate wear ‘Edinburgh – Italy – International – Hand Cut’ with Scottish lion rampant in the middle. Anyone know this label, I feel its an exporter/importer into Scotland rather than a manufacturing concern over in Italy.

(http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6663/pweighta1ew.th.jpg) (http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pweighta1ew.jpg)

The ‘Hand – Cut’ bit is rather mystifying and I thought it may be an Edinburgh Cut Crystal label stuck on, but there are the words ‘International’ and ‘Italian’ – I also feel this label has been on since production.


Anybody have any ideas


Thanks

Adam P

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: mjr on March 29, 2006, 06:56:32 AM

As you may be aware, Edinburgh crystal retailed a range of very nice lampwork and millefiore paperweights made on their behalf by Caithness. Sometime in the 80s - (am at work so I havent got my book).  However I think this arrangement lasted for a year or two at most. I have seen a few Italian paperweights like this one badged as Edinburgh so it is very likely that at some time they entered into a similar marketing/badging arrangement - to augment  their range without needing to manufacture.  Will look for details of the others tonight

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: Frank on March 29, 2006, 12:50:16 PM

Why not ask the company?

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: David555 on March 29, 2006, 01:04:44 PM

Hi Frank

That is a good idea :idea:

I will email them today - I can even phone them as the main office is only a few miles away.

I tested the label with a knife at the corner and the glue has turned to dust - if someone has attached this it must have been years ago.

'Hand Cut' though, they must have been desperate for labels if they were importing these from Italy.

I am looking forward to anything you turn up Martin

Adam P

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: RAY on March 29, 2006, 08:16:10 PM

i have one the same on ebay at the mo, but on my label it says import and not italy

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: David555 on March 29, 2006, 08:24:11 PM

Thanks Ray

Any chance of a link to it?

Adam P

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: RAY on March 29, 2006, 08:39:11 PM

here you go http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7402969236&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: David555 on March 29, 2006, 08:49:45 PM

Ray

That is fantastic

Your Paperweight like mine is of Italian manufacture but retailed through Edinburgh Crystal.

The label is identical but for one word and it has 'hand-cut' on it.

There must be a good story behind this.

Adam P

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: RAY on March 29, 2006, 10:12:32 PM

yep i will, i just got a nice WF glass off ebay

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: RAY on March 29, 2006, 10:23:36 PM

not got it yet but here's the link

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7401721325&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: mjr on March 31, 2006, 12:26:33 PM

Adam

I've now checked and the paperweights I had seen were on Ebay and can still be seen there
this  (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D7391111765%26fvi%3D1&item=7391111765&rd=1) with a label and
this  (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7390847623&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D7390847623%26fvi%3D1) which doesnt show a label.
All very similar to the ones above.
So, in 1986 and 1987 Edinburgh Crystal sold a range of weights made for them by Caithness to fill a gap in their range.
According to Bob Hall's book, these all sold. Also according to Bob, they withdrew from the market in 1990.
This leaves a couple of years when they sold something - so possibly it was these imported and badged Murano weights (which of course look nothing like Edinburgh millefiore and lampwork paperweights of previous years).  
Maybe they didnt sell successfully hence they withdrew from the market. Possibly someone who knows about Murano weights could suggest whether these are the correct style for that time

Title: Scottish Italian Paperweight?
Post by: David555 on March 31, 2006, 05:29:53 PM

Thanks Martin

I think what you say makes sense - ref the links - wow what a difference a good listing can make to the price.

So Edinburgh Crystal the Murano years .... the canes are consistent with those in paperweights I have from the period you mention - the use of jet black in the cane formation is something I identify with - of course Italians have used black layers in ruffle & cog canes for a long time so it is only a casual observation

It could be there were less Italian than Caithness weights made as you suggest they may have filled in a small gap and been unsuccessful sellers - the company have not yet got back to me

Adam P