Topic: help identifying this paperweight... pretty colours

[jonevark]

Hi,

i have been collecting paperwights for about 7 months now and I bought this paperweight becuase it has lovely colours it is unmarked on the base . i think it may be one of two things either commercial but looks very good quality and im also drawn to wedgewood i dont know why... lol can anyone shed any light as it has me puzzled

Kind Regards

Jo

[glasstrufflehunter]

It's hard to tell from the photo of the base, but is it perfectly circular or a little 'out of round'? It appears to be polished.

The colours are very similar to a millefiori piece I have which I have not identified.  I've seen posts about weights that are like mine and many have suggested that it might be Italian. Actually the colours to me are closest to what i have seen in Gentile pieces.

Your is the same shape as what I have. I am thinking they are both by the same maker. Who that would be I can only guess.

[jonevark]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply, from looking at the base it is perfectly round and polished and there are no makers mark of any kind. I am still new to this so was wondering if you could explain what gentile is? is it a type of paperweight or a makers name. It is so much fun learning about glass. When you suggest it could be italian do you mean murano? the colours make me think of 70's or early 80's so do you think it could be from this era?

Kind Regards

Jo

[glasstrufflehunter]

Gentile is an American studio set up by John Gentile. If I recall correctly he is of Italian extraction and learned his techniques in Murano. When I say Italian, I mean Murano.

I have some Gentile weights from the late 90's that have those colours.

Gentile weights usually had a mark impressed into the base that changed from time to time. there were also earlier pieces, I believe, that had rough ground bases.

The finishing on the base of your weight makes me lean toward Murano but I can't be certain.

[jonevark]

hi,

Thanks for that info, I would never have considered murano before, i will also do a bit of research into gentile pieces as it all adds to the learning process...lol


Jo