Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Murano & Italy Glass => Topic started by: Otis Orlando on February 07, 2010, 11:13:34 PM
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This vase was passed down from a family member a few years ago. The vase is very unusual as it is very large and heavy and now not sure whether it is meant to be a vase or not. The vase measures 33cm in height and width 20cm. The vase, so I have been informed was purchased from a Charity Shop somewhere in East London. It looks familiar to the pattern design made by Murano. I have been informed that the item is no longer wanted and prior to probably putting it up for auction require information about it. The family member in question, has been offered a rather large amount for this but does not really know if the person is having her on or not. I have scoured the internet in search of any information regarding this unusual piece to no avail. Can anyone provide me with any positive leads to include age and originator. Kind Regards
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Additional pics.
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It is called a Sommerso piece, it is extremely delicious one at that as well. I might have to get back to this one later so i can see the pics more clearly as my work computer wont let me enlarge them.
Maybe this could be moved to Murano in the mean time mods?
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They are turning up at most fairs i go to and have seen them at many Antique centers i believe they are repro .
What do other members feel ? hope i am wrong . They are well made .
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I agree with JohnPhillip. I'm making it my business to take photos of all those vases btw, hoping to get a website for them together at some point.
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Im pretty sure these are recent Chinese, ive seen a few of them with those side pieces in gift shops,
and similar.
Andy
(I dont think its ever been to Italy)
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I thought that also Andy but i was trying not to get myself in any Bovver as i am such a gentle soul . ::)
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:pb:
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Firstly, one would like to say thank you for your comments regarding this vase. I have exhausted a lot of accumulative hours in trying to find any leads regarding this piece. I was able to contact a company via. sources within the glass world. The company is currently selling two exactly the same as the one shown in my pics. for a considerable amount second hand. The size is exactly the same other than one of them is a different colour. This particular piece was made in the 1970's and it certainly would be nice to get hold of the other one. Only joking! I now know that the person offering to purchase this, was not joking at all. Apparently I also have been told that they are in a glass collectors book for a larger amount. Can anyone elaborate any further on this? Once again, many thanks for all your assistance on this matter. Kind Regards :thup:
http://www.talismanlondon.com/products/product.aspx?ID=1902&Action=FilterTyeps&IDSelected=Glass&Type=Accessories
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Because I know almost nothing about Sommerso glass, I can only look at this thread with interest and wonder why there are reports of these style vases being seen in some numbers in fairs and gift shops (UK only??).
From the link that Otis has given to the page in the Talismanlondon site, I clicked the "back" icon and looked at the other sommerso items they have available. I am intrigued that there are several examples of cut and faceted pieces and just the two of the type discussed here. Also, I notice that the two in that website are described as "a pair" and "30cm height" but they are different colours and clearly different sizes.
With my Moderator hat on I will move this thread to the Murano forum and hope that others who may not have seen this will be able to comment.
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I was vaguely wondering why what looks like current production Mandruzzato is described as 1960s on that site and also offered in other colours. :spls2:
Apparently I also have been told that they are in a glass collectors book for a larger amount.
If a Miller's guide, you really shouldn't believe everything you read
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Otis:
Do you have a reference for the book that was mentioned, which would make it a lot easier?
If someone has offered a great deal of money for this piece, I'd say sell it. It has its attractions, but it doesn't look like older Murano. I don't know what Talisman is selling their stuff for, but it's interesting that they don't name one company for their sommerso pieces. They do say that fazzoletto were designed by Venini and Bianconi but they don't say that their fazzolettos are signed, as all Venini ones are. Right or wrong, it's the pieces that are attributed that get the money. I agree with Kevin that much of the Talisman stock is very similar to current Mandruzzato, check http://www.mandruzzato.ve.it/chi_Eng.asp
None of this proves that the vase isn't really good, but it doesn't inspire confidence either.
David
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When I look at this, the Sommerso to me is extremely good. However, the ribs on the side with cane work lead me to believe that this is still Murano. But most probably recent, within the last 30 yrs but not by a maker(s) we all love to collect to our own tastes.
But with the comments of this has been sighted in the UK many times, could this have been a piece that was imported more into the UK market back in the 70's/80's? Yet we may not have seen these elsewhere as they haven't shown up yet?
Just a thought on this :spls:. And Alex's opinion would be appreciated.
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Just to support JP, Max and Andy these vases are common at fairs, local auctions, 'antiques' centers etc. in and around London. From memory they started to appear around 5 years ago almost always alongside freshly imported Far Eastern repro 'antiques'.
I live a few hundred yards from Talisman, it's a very swish looking decor shop, but not a reliable source of information on glass. If I were offered 10% of what I suspect Talisman are asking I'd take the money and run.
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Kev I think the vases on the Talisman pic are the same height - it looks otherwise as they are staggered - just an optical illusion. :)
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Ok, I will concede the optical illusion of general size - which is probably enhanced by another illusion of the coloured section of the right-hand vase being somewhat deeper than that of the other one, added to yet another illusion of the right-hand vase being wider than the other!
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Yeah I think it's one of those optical oddities that happens with two same size items but different coloured items placed offset to each other - it plays tricks with the brain as it perceives the colours differently somehow. Always fascinates me that it happens.
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If this is the case! We can only hope the Chinese get bored with doing Sommerso pieces and move onto something else! ;D
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Good looking piece of glass until you blow the pictures up and then it is the finish at the top that lets it down. It may be a Murano piece but certainly not from one of the major houses.
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Thanks to you all for your feedback and suggestive comments. I might just donate this vase to my local Charity Shop ;D With reference to David's question, unfortunately no. I am trying to find out what book it is currently in. As soon as I obtain this info. I will let you and all concerned know. Once again, many thanks
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Otis:
Give away glass? Heresy! As a collector, my choice would be to hold on to it for a couple of reasons. First, for reference. Second, to see what else comes to light about it. For example, you find out the name of the book you mentioned. I have a couple of pieces that turned out to be Chinese, but it doesn't make them bad pieces. One of the categories of glass that I collect is pieces I like, no matter their parentage.
Of course, if you're buying to resell and you're trying to maintain a certain standard, then, hello, charity shop.
David
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Hi David, having read your comments I have the same feeling and think it would be best for this item to be retained until any further info. can come to light. I am hoping that I will be able to find out about the book previously mentioned sometime this week, but not keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for your comments on this particular piece and please don't hesitate to reply if you come up with any new leads. Kind Regards
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Some of the latter comments have been removed from this topic as they were non-constructive and argumentative.
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Thanks! Anne, I am fully compliant with your decision :angel:
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Still trying to obtain reference book. As soon as I am able to either obtain it or get information, I will post.