Topic: Tiny Murano Dish

[Lily of the Valley]

Here's a little "Made in Murano" mosaic millefiori dish that charmed its way into my paperweight collection recently.  It, along with the miniature early Perthshire paperweight, were found on a trip to the coast earlier this week.  The little dish measures 3-in across; the pw is 1-3/4 inches in diameter.  The little dish has a flat, almost grainy appearance (satin or matte???).  It is quite sheer which I think shows in the photos in natural light.  (Only one photo was taken with the flash.)  Of course, there is only a generic-like label, but I'm hoping someone here will be able to shed some light on this tiny treasure. :sun:

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-13584

Keeping my fingers crossed ..... Lily  :X:

[Ivo]

I'm thinking La Murrhina.

[Lily of the Valley]

Thank you, Ivo, for your direction.   If this is the La Murrina (searches led to this spelling), then I am most pleased.  Certainly all the vibrant, beautiful colors are there.  The colored glass in the little dish almost glows.   Would you think this piece to be early in La Murrina's history (1968-74 or so) before the focus appears to become more lighting oriented?  The web site offers wonderful glimpses into some of this company's gorgeous artwork. 

http://www.lamurrina.us/NEW/?a=getp&oid=2

With appreciation .... Lily

[Ivo]

try this one instead:
www.murrina.it/

[tam bam]

I agree with Ivo on this one.  I think it is La Murrina also.  At first glance I was thinking Ercole Moretti, the murrines are not as good as Ercole Moretti though.  Ercole tends to have murrines that are the same size throughout the piece (or at least in their plates).  Also Ercole Moretti uses a small murrine (usually clear) with an "M". 

http://www.fossilfly.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=f55ceda4399de511f1735563a1b696ac&Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FI&Product_Code=ACP-3-LGR&Category_Code=AccentPlates

La Murrina is Moretti's murrine competitor and does many things similar to Moretti.  La Murrina is not cheap stuff, don't get me wrong. Their murrine items are just a little bit more affordable than Ercole Moretti's.  I personally have a La Murrina necklace made from their murrines so I can personally tell you their quality is very good.

tam bam

[Lily of the Valley]

Thank you, Ivo and tb, for your direction(s) and input.  No matter what, I really like this little decorative dish.  It's bright and cheery to say the least.  Finding and buying it made me feel as I used to when paperweights were new to me and the only thing important was I really liked how they looked!  Artist/Country did not even enter into the equation.  It was a less $$$$ time as well.

Do either of you (or anyone) have an idea as to the approximate age of this piece?  I noted in the links provided that both Ercole Moretti and La Murrina both have identifying marks on their pieces.  The dish appears to only have the generic label ...  I purchased it in an antique/vintage store but that may mean absolutely nothing.

Lily

[Ivo]

I've seen them on sale new in Rome and that was 5 or 6 years ago - so relatively recent.

[johnphilip]

Moretti often have a tiny m cane in theirs i had one for a few days before i noticed it .

[Lily of the Valley]

Well, I have intently/intensely searched this little object d'art with only eye strain to show for my efforts.  No 'm' cane to be found.  So, I guess it comes down to being recent La Murrina w/no id mark.  It's still very pretty, even though I know "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".  It shows well and it can sit anywhere!   No cabinet needed here!

Thanks again to all ..... Lily 

[tam bam]

Here is an Ercole Moretti plate:

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz23/TamiPietras12/008.jpg

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz23/TamiPietras12/011.jpg

Can you find the "M" murrine in the first photo?

Here is a La Murrina pendant:

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz23/TamiPietras12/012.jpg

It appears as if La Murrina used the same satin finish as the Moretti plates.

tam bam