Topic: Mystery Overlay Paperweight?

[Penelope12]

I’ve had this one a couple of years, but still not managed to identify it. I didn’t even realise until I took it out this morning that it has controlled bubbles on the inside; one large ring around the outside with smaller bubbles rising up through the middle... odd as they can only be seen from the base. Any idea as to the manufacturer and how it was made would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks Penny

[chopin-liszt]

I've seen these for sale as new goods in Heart Foundation shops. They're Chinese. And they're rather nice.

[Penelope12]

Ah...thanks Sue, another one to add to my growing Chinese collection. Lovely quality though, I’m fascinated to know how they acheived that finish?

[chopin-liszt]

I suspect two thin layers of enamel over the weight then round-ish facets cut.

[LesBeatiques]

These look to be true millefiori canes. Nicely polished based. I think that Murano is a good possibility.

[chopin-liszt]

I think you might need to have handled one to know it. It is not made using canes.

[LesBeatiques]

The canes were cut into to form the flat polished base.

[chopin-liszt]

It's just the way the thin casings that were cut out overlap over the bottom. You'd really need to handle it to see how it was made. It looks a lot more complicated than it is.
The base is not fully polished.

[LesBeatiques]

So are you thinking the round faceted were cut and then the weight was worked hot again? I’m trying to understand what accounts for the stretched canes near the lower portion of the weight.

[chopin-liszt]

Yes, exactly that.    But not what I'd call graal. 
They are interesting. I always have a really good look at the paperweights sold in the British Heart Foundation shops, because they do make their way into the secondary market. They're probably the only paperweights I do know anything about and can recognise.