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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: glassobsessed on July 15, 2009, 07:50:58 PM

Title: Murano swan not uranium, but what?
Post by: glassobsessed on July 15, 2009, 07:50:58 PM

I bought this Murano Swan today on the off chance it contained some uranium glass. It doesn't but the blue is cased in a layer of glass which I guess looks a bit opalescent, it has a very faint milky\greenish tinge to it. The whole thing is then cased in clear glass.
While I was photographing it I noticed (difficult not to) that when light passed through it rather than reflecting off the surface the 'opalescent' layer looks quite golden.

What is causing this effect and does it have a name? When I hold it up in front of my monitor, light it with white LEDs or fluorescent light the same effect can be seen.

After looking in the dictionary (opalescent), is this layer Opaline glass?

John.

Title: Re: Murano swan not uranium, but what?
Post by: TxSilver on July 15, 2009, 08:11:38 PM

John, your analysis is right. Some Murano pieces are made with opaline or opalescent glass around the sommerso vessel. It gives the appearance that the vessel is opaline. Your glass is amber under direct light. If I understand correctly, this is true opalescence -- please feel free to correct, Members, if my definitions of opalescence are confused.

Title: Re: Murano swan not uranium, but what?
Post by: obscurities on July 15, 2009, 10:44:32 PM

Hello,

I actually have a couple of questions.... How tall is this piece? 

Would it be possible to get an image of the swan from above to show the profile of the wing?

Lastly, Can you possibly post a closeup (macro function ) of the label on this piece?

I am curious as it appears to be similar to one of the pair I have posted here in this thread:

http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,27025.msg148177.html#msg148177

Thanks, Craig

Title: Re: Murano swan not uranium, but what?
Post by: glassobsessed on July 15, 2009, 11:23:39 PM

Thanks Anita, I have read about Opaline glass somewhere but remembered nothing, next time I will be a bit more clued up.

Craig, it is just like your smaller one, it has the same curved wings and it is hollow inside - running up the neck and tapering off behind the eyes.
This one is 7¼ inches tall, 4 long.

I took a few more photos earlier but did not shoot one from above (can do that tomorrow), here are some of the head and one of the label.

John.

Title: Re: Murano swan not uranium, but what?
Post by: obscurities on July 15, 2009, 11:34:38 PM

Thanks John, If you can tell the wings are the same a pic is not necessary....  The form is the same, the smaller one of my pair is 11 inches tall... but they are most definitely the same maker......  The wing is distinctive and is unlike anything I have found.

Does anyone recognize the label on this bird???  Anita???

It is not in the label archive.....

Thanks, Craig

Title: Re: Murano swan not uranium, but what?
Post by: glassobsessed on July 15, 2009, 11:58:46 PM

The label is the similar to http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-8579

and this one http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1905

Not that they seem to help much yet.

John.

Title: Re: Murano swan not uranium, but what?
Post by: TxSilver on July 16, 2009, 12:08:29 AM

The label is considered to be generic, so it doesn't say anything about who made it. But it does let you know that it is Murano. So many of the swans from different places look the same that it is nice to have the label. Much Murano glass is tourist glass that was made in good quantities by unknown people. Many of the animals fall into this category. The larger swans have a better chance of being attributed than the smaller do. The opalescence around the sommerso cavity gives a hint. I'll let you know if I find anything.

There is another pair of round-wings swans at http://www.antiquehelper.com/catalog-search?q=murano+swan&match=all&sort=0. They are the red ones with white filigrana in them. Unfortunately, there is another generic sticker.

Anita