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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: alpha on October 25, 2010, 02:29:58 PM

Title: Millefiori closepack "JB France" - who is this?
Post by: alpha on October 25, 2010, 02:29:58 PM
Any one know more about the maker of this weight?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140465932968

Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: Lily of the Valley on October 27, 2010, 04:53:20 PM
Wow, Andy, it's not often a weight  :huh: you! ;)  It's a pretty piece of eye candy that's for sure.  I cannot add anything to your quest to know more.  The only thing I can say is that my very first thought without reading your post was Drew Ebelhare!  Perhaps the information on the weight is referring to an establishment rather than a specific artist.

Just a thought or two ..... Lily :huh:
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: alpha on October 29, 2010, 12:40:13 PM
A good thought Lily. Could have been from Drew's early transitional period when he was moving away from the bright Italian colors into his St. Louis period. So, I wrote Drew and asked him - but the weight is not his.  I wrote to a former Baccarat worker who is now making weights privately and asked him and he thought some of the canes kind of looked like Baccarat but he had no definitive idea. A lot of people have viewed the post but no one seems to have any thoughts. I suspect that the key cane to help with the ID is the red rose and its coloration - I've seen it before but can't place it although my current thought is St. Louis. It also looks like there is an intital or signature cane off at about 9 o'clock, but the large image is still unclear. Travis bought the weight and I've asked him to weigh in on the discussion.
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: KevinH on October 29, 2010, 01:15:25 PM
It would be good if Travis can provide us with some close-ups of the canes in this weight. There are several distinctive elements.

I also thought that the "9 o'clock-ish" cane might have a letter. And the more I look at it with enlargement, it does seem to show a "misshapen letter cane" quite like some of the various "H" canes of the Hansen family, as illustrated in that book ... what was it called ... oh yes ... The Dictionary of Paperweight Signature Canes. :) But were there any Hansen weights of this style and size???
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: alexander on October 29, 2010, 01:21:00 PM
I wa the underbidder on this weight, was away and only had cellphone access - not much you can see on a cell, so I didn't make a big bid.

Could it be by Jim Brown?

The setting of the canes is a bit too uneven for a modern Baccarat or SL imho.

It's a weird weight with canes resembling several makers. I do wish it had been better described with a picture of the base.
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: jamalpa36 on October 29, 2010, 02:25:21 PM
Has anyone considered Jim Hart?

The orange is very similar to his 2005 canes

Roy
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: alpha on October 29, 2010, 03:30:55 PM
Too high in the dome and too wide for a Jim Hart. Also Jim uses Murano canes to make his complex canes (other than his roses) and although the pictures are not that great, they don't look like Murano millefiori components to me.

Not enough translucence for an early Jim Brown, although it's not a bad thought.
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: SophieB on October 29, 2010, 04:40:11 PM
I was watching this weight too and wondered...

Like Roy, Jim Hart came to my mind (and the sig cane seemed an H to me...).

Alpha - I am curious about the baccarat worker who makes weights privately. Is it possible to see his work somewhere? Where does he sell?

SophieB
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: Lily of the Valley on October 29, 2010, 04:52:33 PM
It seems there is another rose (pink) just to the right of the distinctive eight-petal flower.  Is that a pansy just above the salmon/red rose that is such a mystery?  If this is a Jim Hart, he has been holding out on us!!!!!  Personally, I do not believe he is the artist of this particular beauty.

Lily
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: alpha on October 29, 2010, 05:20:37 PM
Former Baccarat worker: Gilles Gicquel :
http://www.gilles-gicquel.fr/portrait.htm
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: SophieB on October 29, 2010, 06:26:30 PM
Hi Lily,

I don't necesary think that the weight is Jim Hart's, only that I was reminded of his work when I first saw the weight (I wonder about Drew Ebelhare, too - I definitely lack originality of thought :pb:).

Alpha - Many thanks for the link. I had never heard of him but I like his weights. I may investigate further next time I am home.

SophieB
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: alexander on October 30, 2010, 11:36:20 AM
I noticed the pansy like canes as well and thought of Parabelle, but I associate P with a higher level of quality in setting and cutting.

Could this be a collection canes from various makers brought together on comission?

Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: sageandsolitudeglass on October 30, 2010, 04:56:26 PM
This weight has me stumped!  I do believe the canes are all from one factory or artist, too many repeats.  I'm wondering/hoping if we have a new artist making paperweights?  I will be happy to take many photos to aid in the identification of this weight.  I asked the seller what he knew, and he said "just below it says JB France, I know nothing more" , so I'm wondering if the base has JB France stamped or etched on the bottom.  I'll send pictures as soon as it arrives.  Travis Chaudoir
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: Lily of the Valley on October 30, 2010, 08:54:20 PM
I think there are a number of us who would absolutely love to be right there with you when you open the box!!!!!  Can't wait til you see this weight in person and are able to post more photos along with your observations!

Til then ..... Lily  ;D
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: sageandsolitudeglass on November 03, 2010, 09:51:40 PM
Well it's here, but the pics I took are too high in quality for the message board.  Email me at travischaudoir AT yahoo DOT com and I'll send some good photos.  The weight is acid etched on the bottom "Cristal JB France", and the possible sig cane is just blurred enough that it may or may not be a sig cane.   Really nice work, it seems strange that such nice cane work has not been seen around at some point.  Hopefully someone knows more.   Travis

Mod: email address anti-spammed.
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: alpha on November 04, 2010, 12:02:53 AM
Here are links to two pictures -

http://tinypic.com/r/2hclyqp/7

http://tinypic.com/r/2ptqt0i/7

And here's the "signature cane" - which on closer review doesn't look like a signature cane at all. Looks more like either cullet on the cane or shadows coming through clear glass when the photo was taken.
(http://i54.tinypic.com/2dhxoyb.jpg)
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: Rocksmom on November 04, 2010, 05:43:21 PM
A quick Google search turned up several crystal items by "Cristal JB", primarily lamp bases & candlesticks.  It seems to me Cristal JB may be a company, not necessarily a single artist.   It may be an angle to persue in trying to identify the maker.  It's a lovely weight, and I'm hoping there are others out there still to be found!
Title: Re: millefioi maker to be identified.
Post by: SophieB on November 04, 2010, 07:05:05 PM
Dear all,

After a google search, on Cristal JB France: it would seem that the signature JB France may belong to Jean-Baptiste Sibertin Blanc who is artistic director for DAUM. He is a designer and not a glassmaker. Before working for Daum, he had his own design studio. He would not have made the paperweight himself but may have commissioned it.

http://fr.linkedin.com/pub/sibertin-blanc-jean-baptiste/7/7a0/231

Of course, it could be the wrong Jean-Baptiste altogether. It is a fairly common first name in France.

If we are still in the dark I am happy to try and investigate next time I am there.

SophieB
Title: Re: Millefiori closepack "JB France" - who is this?
Post by: KevinH on November 05, 2010, 12:00:10 AM
More photos, on behalf of Travis (stored for posterity in an Album in my "KevH" gallery in the Glass Queries Gallery).

Top view (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13597&fullsize=1)
Side view (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13596&fullsize=1)
Base view (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13595&fullsize=1)

I am also preparing images for each individual cane. More soon.
Title: Re: Millefiori closepack "JB France" - who is this?
Post by: KevinH on November 05, 2010, 03:32:39 PM
Seven galleries covering 51 canes (all open in a separate, full-sized window):

Rose & Whirl canes (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13602&fullsize=1)

Mainly solid elements (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13601&fullsize=1)

Mainly "daisy" elements (1) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13604&fullsize=1)

Mainly "daisy" elements (2) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13603&fullsize=1)

Mainly "star" elements (1) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13600&fullsize=1)

Mainly "star" elements (2) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13599&fullsize=1)

More complex structures (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pid=13605&fullsize=1)
Title: Re: Millefiori closepack "JB France" - who is this?
Post by: Lily of the Valley on November 05, 2010, 11:05:45 PM
I just wanted to offer a very big THANK YOU!!! to all involved in posting the wonderful photos of this mystery weight here on the GMB.

With appreciation .... Lily  :kissy: