Topic: pretty bargain Murano paperweight cut sides & daisy cane

[buydesigns]

Good morning/evening everyone,

Yippie $4 for such a pretty thing.

I found a paperweight on eBay w/ the same individual cane petals around a center cane daisies.  It had a well worn foil murano sticker on it.  

It seems odd that these weights would have anything in common because the eBay weight was much cruder and was a plain flattened ball of glass, and was duller looking.  

The one I have is bright and clear like good crystal and the daisies are very small and tightly arranged.  The other was sort of muddled looking.  

I just don't know what to make of it.  Can anyone help me with an ID on this?

Thanks for looking,

Wanda

(ps I am posting this in Murano forum as well)

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2495

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2494

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2493

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2492

[Leni]

I would say from the flowers that it's possibly a 3Fiori weight, or may ALT.  

The difference in quality can be explained by the fact that even Murano paperweight makers have sometimes been known to churn out 'dime-a-dozen' tourist tat as well!  I've probably comitted heresy by saying so, but IMNSHO it happens to be true!   :wink:

[buydesigns]

Hi Leni,

thank you very much.  I see what you mean about the flowers in the 3 Fiori but can't find anything except the round paperweights more loosely decorated.

Haven't used the right search to find ALT yet.  Having an ALT key on the keyboard doesn't seem to help.

Can you suggest any good research sites for this type of paperweight.  Perhaps an auction house website that has good quality pieces?

Best wishes and byre for now,

Wanda

[Leni]

Have a look at Jackie Lindsay's site, Corner House Gallery, at   http://www.muranopaperweights.co.uk/ and maybe drop Jackie a line.  She's the expert on Murano weights.

[KevinH]

"Four-sided faceting" is a feature of a number of Murano weights.

[buydesigns]

and the winner is.......Fratelli Toso

   Thank you Leni and KevH!

I sure appreciate your help.  You kept me going through all the dead ends.

Leni, I had a lot of fun on the wonderful websites you suggested and KevH I am very glad to know what to call this shape.  

I searched:   Trocadero.com>Paperweights>Italian

"Molta Bella Glass" is offering 5 pre-1960 Fratelli Toso weights that seem to have a similar heritage to our mystery guest.

similarities include:

individual petals on flowers
clustering of flowers
colors
shape of gather of glass under the flowers (field?)
clarity of glass

I would still like to find one with 4-sided facets and cut motifs like this one.

So it's research at the bookstore then I'm off to discover my next fascination.  Some days that's anything that glitters - but I'll try to stay focused   :lol:,  Wanda