Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Murano & Italy Glass => Topic started by: chuggy on June 11, 2005, 06:07:47 PM
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Hi All
Hoping someone out there can enlighten me, I've just acquired privately in sunny Essex UK, a Poli/Seguso Hippo in the corroso finish identical to that pictured in the book "Animals in Glass" except mine has the mouth wide open. Shown pictures to a few folks who tell me it's rare as rocking horse poo! (Hope thats OK). Would love to post pictures, but despite the idiots guide to picture posting mine won't, but if anyone wants a peek let me know and I'll e-mail them. What I'm after is firstly has anyone ever come across one of these, and secondly any idea what it might make in auction if I decide to sell.
All help appreciated
Paul
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http://tinypic.com/5vxjc6
Hopefully it may work this time
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Paul, this is a splendid find. In my opinion, the most forthright evaluations come from a reputable expert appraiser. The condition of the piece is an important factor. Based upon your photo, it appears that the hippopotamus met an immovable foe and lost the left tooth on the lower jaw during the fracas. There also appears to be a surface scuff on the left base. These impressions, however, may be due to camera angle rather than reality.
Turning to comparables from the same series, an exquisite ‘Flavio Poli extremely rare corroso bull glass sculpture’ realized 7000 USD at auction last year. Photographs of the sculpture and a detailed description can be found under Auction Results at www.auctionhelper.com. Enter Flavio Poli in the search box, and click on Lot Number 273 in the Modern Design Auction held March 27, 2004.
Good fortune!
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Thanks for the help certainly looks like a valuable piece, the teeth are as made since all have a corroso finish to the flat surfaces and pleased to say the "scrape" is just camera angle and reflection. Had a very helpful mail back from a large Venetian gallery which suggests this piece may be unique and say they have no doubt it is genuine and very very rare.
Whoopee one of those finds that make it all worthwhile, but I'm going to keep and enjoy for a bit yet.
Any other takes on it appreciated.
Cheers
Paul
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Hello Paul, I have the book you talk about and think your piece is really excellent. Can you give us a sense of its size? The piece really looks massive from the photo.
Javier
.... Turning to comparables from the same series, an exquisite ‘Flavio Poli extremely rare corroso bull glass sculpture’ realized 7000 USD at auction last year. Photographs of the sculpture and a detailed description can be found under Auction Results ....
Good fortune!
For our guest...
First thank you for your comments, but I have to say something here. I dont think it is fare to post a link where you cannot access the information without first "Signing Up" for a "Free Trial." If you would be so kind, why dont you post the actual photo of the Flavio Poli Corroso Bull, or a similar one, so we can all see it? I think it would help everyone if you did.
Thanks
Javier
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Hi Javier
It's 15 cm in length and 13cm high. Hopefully here,s a further picture of the beast.
http://tinypic.com/5y8c94
chuggy
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My apologies for inadvertently directing viewers to a commercial URL site.
Photographs of the sculpture and a detailed description can be found under Auction Results at www.auctionhelper.com.
The correct hyperlink, free of charge, is Dan Ripley’s Antique Helper site: http://www.antiquehelper.com/. Enter Flavio Poli in the search box, and click on Lot Number 273 in the Modern Design Auction held March 27, 2004.
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Guest, why don't you join up to Glassmessages? It'd be nice to give you some credit for your input, and we don't have your name - do we? :)
That bull certainly went for an amazing price! Chuggy's hippo seems much more 'corroded' than the bull, or maybe it was just more rugged before it had the corroso finish?
Btw Guest, great resource you've linked there, I'll be using that in future!
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I've seen pictures of both pink and green hippos in books with the closed mouth and the tops of them are heavily corroso finished so I think it was a feature of the hippos.
Paul
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Hello Guest...
Thank you for posting the right link for the glass bull. That works much better for everyone.
Hello Paul!
I think your Hippo is much better than those with the mouth closed. Its always great to find animals in "Action"
Javier
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Just an update, the beast has gone to Christies for their end of year sale of Important 20th century design, so may cover next years holiday.....PLEASE!!!!
Paul
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Just an update, the beast has gone to Christies for their end of year sale of Important 20th century design, so may cover next years holiday.....PLEASE!!!!
Paul
Wooohooo! Fingers crossed! How exciting!! :D :D
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Paul, congratulations! Please post the Christie’s lot number when it becomes available.
Warm thanks to Max for her gracious invitation.
Guest, why don't you join up to Glassmessages?
Hence a subsequent remark by a seasoned wordsmith is haunting.
we shall have to be content with talking to ghosts from time to time
One might wonder how many other interested readers quietly float through the Murano Glass Forum. Nonetheless, the underlying message is transparent. I have perused the ghostly, correction ghastly, suggestions,
He could sign up as Micky Mouse or Father Christmas or The Murano Expert
and replaced ethereal anonymity with the nom de plume, Gnome de Plume.
Cheerio!
Chaz
Gnome de Plume
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Had confirmation the hippo is going under the hammer Christies London on December 13th, but haven't got lot no yet. Heres hoping.
Paul
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is that the modern design auction 8 November ?
Couldn't see Important 20th century design on their website.
taylog1
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Boy am I stupid
I meant to say is that the Furniture and Decorative Objects on 13 Dec ?
Taylog1
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Yes thats the one, when I know the lot no I'll post it here.
Paul
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Yes thats the one, when I know the lot no I'll post it here.
Paul
Heyyyy Paul....hope it goes well! ££££$$$$$! :D
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Hello Paul!
Been meaning to respond to this for a while., Sorry it took so long....
Can you tell us also if it will be on Ebay as a Live Auction? or will this be apart from all that? I would love to watch it and see how it goes. Its always exciting to see rare pieces at auction, like the Barovier "Primavera" vases that went to $40 thou!
Does Christies London have a Live Auction via internet too?
Would love to know!
Javier
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Hi Javier
Sorry for the delay in replying, but I wanted to check with Christies before giving wrong info. It won't be on e-bay as a live auction and they don't carry live internet feeds to watch a sale either. However, I sahll be going along with high hopes, ready to be shattered, though they seem very upbeat about prospects and their estimate is £4,000 to £6,000, so keeping fingers and everything else crossed.
Paul
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Good Luck Paul!
Keep us posted!
Javier
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Grrrr latest from Christies is that they have rescheduled the sale until March 23rd as the first of the new London season. Ah well thats everyones Christmas pressys gone kaput for another year. Ah perchance to dream!!!!
Paul
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And :?: :?: :?:
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There was a follow up on this one Frank had a dispute with the auction house about the piece, after "researching" it for 7 months, they wanted to list it as attributed to Poli and not by him with a lowered reserve to £1000. Not having that I collected it put it on e-bay and it made almost 3 times that. Very surprised at the lack of expertise to be honest and the very arrogant attitude that prevailed, so in the words of the bard, SOD EM!!!
Paul