Topic: Faceted (cut to clear?) Red Millefiori.

[BobKegeles]

Okay, last but not least, I'm totally in the dark on this one.

I'm not sure whether this should be defined as "faceted", or "cut to clear".

The canes don't feel Murano to me, but don't really feel Scottish either.

I don't see a signature cane anywhere.

The bottom is a cut crystal starburst.

It measures 2-1/2" across, and 1-3/4 high.

Any ideas?

Thank you again for any help.

Bob

[SophieB]

To describe this weight I think you should say that it is a faceted millefiori concentric with a red flash overlay and a star cut base.

As for attribution, I think that it is Murano. I have seen a few of these in the past and they were all attributed to Murano. I have no reason to doubt this attribution.
 
SophieB

[pooleandpaperweights]

with a star cut base though?

[tropdevin]

***

Thos are 100% Murano canes, from the mid 20th century I think.  I have seen a (very) few Murano paperweights with something other than a flat polished base - concave polished, and also star cut.  Whether the cut is original is hard to say - it seems to be of little value hidden under a disk of canes.  That said, I have seen a couple of antique Baccarat closepacks with a star cut base: maybe it was a training exercise, or maybe the cutter forgot which ones were for cutting and which just for a concave polished base!

Alan

[KevinH]

A star cut base on a faceted weight does add some "sparkle" when viewed from either the top or an oblique angle.

[SophieB]

I have seen these nice Muranese weights with a strawberry diamond cut base too (if this is the correct technical term - which it may not be). In fact a millefiori rondello with blue flash overlay and such a base was auctioneered today at Mallam's (and for once, I agree with the auctioneers' attribution )

http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/mallams-ltd--abingdon/catalogue-id-2911493/lot-23289840?searchitem=true

SophieB

[BobKegeles]

I guess the thing that made me question it originally, was the narrow cut facets between each of the standard round ones. That, plus the star cut base, made me think it wouldn't be a Murano piece.

I'm wondering though, since I've seen mention several times, that glass makers in other countries would sometimes buy Murano canes for use in their pieces, why wouldn't that be true in this case?

Secondarily, and unrelated to this piece, does anyone know if Gentile used Murano cane in some of their pieces?

Bob

[Roger H]

Yes the canes are definately Murano aren't they but where it was made could be difficult to pin down.  To me the canes go back a way, perhaps to the 1970s.
     Roger rarebit.