Topic: murano harlequin figurines......or chinese copies? help!

[bfg]

Would appreciate an ID/confirmation if possible on these Harlequin / masquerade figurines please

 left a cheeky bid at auction for them and was most surprised to win them initially, now I'm getting a bit worried

Have to say, they do absolutely nothing for me but I can appreciate what they are, if they are what they are (if you see what I mean)

Are the Chinese churning out copies at TKMaxx?

They are more or less intact and do have the muck of ages on them

I can find similar on google searches but nothing yet that matches. Have that sinking feeling lol

Ht: 14 inches / 36cm

the base has a clear snapped pontil mark

cheers if you can put my mind at rest

Mel

[chopin-liszt]

Far too well made for contemporary Chinese, in my opinion.
The gold foil in the base looks exactly right for Murano; they are elegant and balanced.
But not my cup of tea at all. 

[bfg]

thanks Sue, makes me feel a bit better

elegant & balanced = garrish & naff

oh well, perhaps they're not that bad then

[chopin-liszt]

We can't all have the same tastes!
But the quality of workmanship speaks for itself, above and beyond the... umm... errr... theme being illustrated.

There is a delicacy to them, and I'm sure some folk would find them delicious.

[bfg]

excellent.

thanking you muchly for your time

Mel x

[chopin-liszt]

I can't help with a maker!

The only name I do know of, in conjunction with this sort of harlequin (or flamenco dancers in this style) is Franco Toffolo.
(And I'm not doing anything else right now. I would most likely would NOT not have been able to tell the difference between a Murano or a Chinese clown - I'd have had to rely on the years of accumulated dirt for any clue. )

[bfg]

no, not to worry Sue

I have found some threads on here so I think I'd better not call them Harlequins anymore! Can't imagine why I thought that 

[chopin-liszt]

These are Harlequins!

Slim figures - wearing multicoloured patchwork tights/leggings with a black eye mask and general frilly bits.

Not the kind with too much lipstick, red noses, back-firing cars and slapstick!

[bfg]

haha, okie dokie