Topic: Salviati Opal Glass but how old ?

[mhgcgolfclub]

Salviati opal glass bought with another item.

I need help on how to date such a piece. Having a good look around it seems that a lot of the opal pieces could date  to around thee 1900 era. Or could my piece be a recent piece.

Height 7"

Thanks Roy

[chopin-liszt]

I can't see any gold in the fishy dolphin,  and the glass of the bowl looks a bit thick and uneven for Salviati. It's lovely but I can understand why you are questioning the date.

[Paul S.]

Hello Roy  -  when you refer to Salviati are you speaking of his London production which produced opalescent art and Venetian studio glass c. 1860 - 1880, or glass from the Venice area ??         I know almost nothing about this stuff other than what I read in books, but the situation looks to be complicated insofar as Sowerby also produced similar pieces around the same time  -  but glass from neither output appears to look as OTT as your piece here, and much was plain opalescent in appearance.           I could be wrong, but none of the pieces from this C19 period look to have gold or silver leaf inclusions.
My money is on this one being more recent.

[mhgcgolfclub]

Thanks Sue.
Paul I have never bought a piece of this type of glass before and probably know less than you. The lady I bought it from said it came from an elderly lady along with one other item in the link 
https://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,71541.0.html
And at £20 a piece I bought them both which at the time seemed a bargain.,

Roy

[English weather]

I need help on how to date such a piece.

The weight, (thickness), of the glass would indicate a date not earlier than 1930.

[flying free]

There seems to be some online with the title 'candle holder' for comparison.  Similar shape and design. 
The shape of the dolphin's mouth looks different to the piece I own which is c.1870.
Could they have been made by other makers, not just from Salviati?

[glassobsessed]

Girasol is the term used for this type of opalescent glass from Murano (for what it is worth) dating from photos alone is tricky because these traditional designs have been made for many decades and can/are still be produced. As I understand it part of a glass workers apprenticeship on Murano includes learning all the techniques involved in their production.

Some years ago Ivo mentioned a way to distinguish between production on Murano before and after a rough date of around about 1960. Due to a redesign of furnaces/chimneys around this time ash was mostly eliminated from falling back into the pot and as a result the tiny black specks of ash found in older examples were eliminated. As with all rules of thumb no doubt there will be some exceptions.

Can you see any black specks in the metal Roy when you hold it up to the light? Check the top surface of the foot for a very faint signature as well, possible if made in the last decade or two.

I too thought the glass looks a little thick to be earlier but again tricky to judge from photos. I think Troll is the word that no one else here is mentioning...

John

[LEGSY]

Loverly piece of glass both items look to of been well made and look stunning!!!
Sadly people comment first and think later these days i have to say the people who have commented
in this listing have helped me dozens of times over the years and each one deserve the utmost respect/medal
hopefully that continues Glass messages is the best glass place on the web 

[mhgcgolfclub]

Firstly a big please to Paul not to leave, you would be a great loss . Remember I know where you live and you do not want me knocking on your front door with my decanters. I had a nice 8 sided one lined up for you.

Thanks Roy
ps I will get back to Salviati tomorrow afternoon.

[mhgcgolfclub]

Thank you all for your replies I didn't realise it was such a complicated topic.
I think I saw the candle holders which look similar.
John I've had a good look and cannot see any black specks.
Thanks Roy