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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: tootingpf on September 14, 2013, 04:52:03 PM

Title: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: tootingpf on September 14, 2013, 04:52:03 PM

Hi all,

Is this really a Willie Manson Octopus?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WILLIAM-MANSON-SCOTLAND-2-1-2-OCTOPUS-DESIGN-PAPERWEIGHT-/231054161394?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:3160

Apart from anything else, all the examples of Willie Manson Octopuses (Octopi?!) I've seen have always had the right number of legs...  I believe 8 is traditional for an octopus.

Graham

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 14, 2013, 05:03:39 PM

No, I do not think that is Willie's wonderful work.   :'(
In my not so humble opinion it is a lump of fairly new Chinese glass.  ;D

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: chriscooper on September 14, 2013, 05:12:22 PM

Would have expected the seller to mention either one of Willies canes or a JD or both?

Chris

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: tootingpf on September 14, 2013, 05:19:28 PM

I completely agree Sue!

As a huge fan of Willie's sealife stuff generally, this is not up to scratch!

Attached for comparison is a pic of an Octopus that I bought direct from Willie (note the standard eight legs.... ;D)

I'd agree with you on Chinese (the colour of the starfish maybe a clue!).  Shame.

Graham

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 14, 2013, 05:23:34 PM

Funnily enough, the seller does post a link to Willie's work - which (IMNSHO) is vastly superior to the lump in question.
All of the weights in the link have signature canes.
The weight in question has a lot of contemporary Chinese, made and sold in the Heart Foundation Shops, features that I recognise.
(I'm being very careful in what I am saying here.  ;) )

There is really a huge difference in the complexity of the background, isn't there?
Plain blue with some white splodges versus the sandy bottom of a sea bed, vegetation and other creatures...

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: tootingpf on September 14, 2013, 05:43:51 PM

Yes, this seems to be a new departure - I've not seen this before.

I've seen lots of cheap and cheerful (and poor quality) fish weights, but this is the first time I've seen a septimus...

There really is no comparison with the original.

Graham

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: chriscooper on September 14, 2013, 06:16:33 PM

Glad you both agree  :)

Chris

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 14, 2013, 06:24:41 PM

The earlier Heart Foundation Shop Chinese ones with lizards in are very nice indeed - for the right price of ~ £4.99.

Do you not agree with us two too, Chris? :)

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: pooleandpaperweights on September 15, 2013, 09:42:49 AM

Just for comparison, here we have one of the original 50 limited edition in the middle, the master sample weight on the left, and a rather rare 1980 Caithness weight also made by Willie.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/pooleandpaperweights/20121216_2026250_zpsc4b35d59.jpg

Hope no one falls for the blatant misleading of the Chinese one!

Ian

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: Roger H on September 15, 2013, 07:40:38 PM

A good chinese weight in my opinion and I agree with all the other comment details.
       Quite nice at the appropriate price.
          Regards Roger

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: Derek on September 16, 2013, 10:21:27 AM

Hi all

I contacted Willie who in turn contacted the seller
and the auction has been closed because of
"an error in the listing".

Best regards

Derek

Title: Re: Willie Manson Octopus?
Post by: tootingpf on September 16, 2013, 09:53:55 PM

Well, that sounds like a good result.

It was a jolly paperweight if the price (and attribution) were right...