Topic: Did Dino Martens design paperweights ?

[Baked_Beans]

This is one of my favourite paperweights . I love the 'jazzyness' of the canes and the vibrant colours. Could this be a Dino Martens inspired design ?   

[TxSilver]

The top of the paperweight does look like an Aureliano Toso piece, particularly the vaseline-like color that is in a couple of the large canes. I haven't seen a A Toso scramble bottom like this. It is very AVeM or Fratelli Toso-like. Is the weight low-dome? I suspect it is Aureliano Toso. I don't know if Martens had anything to do with the weights except being the artistic director of the company. Martens is often credited with designing the latticino-cane scramble work of AVeM and Fratelli Toso. I really haven't found any evidence for this. Judith Miller said "maybe" in one of her books. It was repeated by a couple of people, then finally evolved into a "fact."

I enjoy finding A Toso paperweights because they are not as common as other companies. The workmanship is often a bit sloppy, but it is just part of their charm.

[TxSilver]

I should add that the way the canes wrap around the sides, instead of making a flat surface, also points to Aureliano Toso. So, I think your A Toso diagnosis is probably right.

[Baked_Beans]

Thanks TxSilver very much for your clarification on this matter. Very interesting ! It's only a small weight , diameter 5.5 cm height 4 cm. I've added a side view photo so I guess it is low-dome. As you say the workmanship is a bit sloppy , there is a small dimple at the apex of the dome which slightly distorts the view from above ...but the non-formal aspect of the cane work totally does it for me ! I've been looking out for other examples with a scrambled base and have been unsucessfull so far. Thanks again for your help. 

[Baked_Beans]

Sorry it's high-domed ....just read your other post !! ....I'm new to paperweights !

[TxSilver]

I'm not sure now. I've added a couple of side views of Aureliano Toso paperweights that have labels. Maybe people can compare and see what they think. I believe that both of these paperweights were about 2.5" (6.3 cm) wide. Notice that both of them have a vaseline-like color around some of the canes. I can't remember how they reacted under black light. My brain is disintegrating into a million shards. I guess I am looking at too much glass.  :huh: All the AToso paperweights I've handled have had tooling marks and swirls in the middle of the dome.

[Baked_Beans]

Well mine definately has a polished little bump at the top of the dome. Also I have checked it under UV light and it is radioactive !

[TxSilver]

I think mine was uranium, too, but I didn't write it down anywhere and I don't have the weights anymore. My thoughts are that your weight is probably Atoso. I saw one small weight on eBay once. I think it was about 5.5 cm if I remember right. I tried to win it, but came in second place.

[Baked_Beans]

Well, I bought this on ebay so it could be the same weight !!  It was described as Dino Martens style, that was why I posted this question. Thanks again !

[TxSilver]

The one I saw on eBay had a label, which is why I wanted it so much. It sold for a good price. At least we know that AToso made some smaller weights.