Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: BobKegeles on February 15, 2014, 02:12:16 AM
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Hi all,
This is a fascinating weight. It's very large 5" across. 31/2" high.
It's built in layers (lol, what paperweight isn't). It seems to be mostly hollow, with a 1/4" - 1/2" clear layer filled with "stuff", including what looks like coppery aventurine ribbons, and silvery "aventurine" mottling the hollow interior's wall, plus stretched millefiori (or faux?), twisted ribbons, lattacinos, etc.
In other words, the exterior of the hollow center, which is translucent cobalt blue, has a mottling of shiny silver.
I assume it's modern Chinese, but a very well made one.
I've included a bottom shot, but it has a green felt that I would rather not remove.
Am I right that it's modern or contemporary (is there a difference?) Chinese?
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I'd say murano.
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I'd agree it's Murano but I've never seen one quite like it, kind of nice actually.
Nick
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It's really very nice, a lot of fun stuff going on.
I haven't seen a mostly hollow Murano before.
But then, having really only paid any attention to glass in the last year or so, there's a great deal that I've never seen lol.
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It was made at the AVEM factory, possibly by Anzolo Fuga. circa 1950-1960. This style is hollow blown with the millefiori design in the surface layers. Usually, there there is a base (ground) for the base layer of green, red or cobalt blue, A layer of silver and/or gold foil comes next and then several layers of filigree and millefiori followed by a clear encasement layer.
A.V.E.M. or Arte Vetraria Muranese was founded on the Island of Murano in Venice, Italy in 1932. This piece was probably designed by Anzolo Fuga, who also decorated the pieces with millefiori slices under the direction of master glass maker Luciano Ferro. Fuga was at A.V.E.M. from 1955 to 1962. For more details see pages 48 & 49 of the book Fifties Glass by Leslie Pina.
AVEM used the same style to make solid paperweights, bowls, vases, etc. It is a very desirable collectible.
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Thank you all very much.
Especially the great detail from Allan.
Sounds like I got a good deal paying $68 (37 pounds).
No wonder I thought it looked exceptionally good for a Chinese piece lol.
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A good pointer to these being Murano rather than Chinese is the use of the those "in your face" shades of red and orange in the canes.
Also note that similar - but even larger - items can be found with a brass-coloured stand (rather ugly in my view). But sometimes they are offered for sale at extremely high prices.
And one example I saw a few years ago was being sold as made by Pietro Bigaglia, on the basis of a "B" scratched into it!!