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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: Embroidered on June 23, 2021, 05:56:49 PM

Title: Grandmother's paperweight, Chinese 1930's?
Post by: Embroidered on June 23, 2021, 05:56:49 PM

Hello all!  I recently got my grandma's old paperweight out of storage, and started wondering again about where it might have been made.  I know she received it as a wedding present and had it on display for as long as I could remember.  I was fascinated by it as a kid, I always thought there was candy inside! 

There are no identifying marks and I wasn't holding out a lot of hope, but after some searching I discovered a strong resemblance to Chinese paperweights from the 1930's.  My grandparents married in 1940 so the time frame is right.  It's about 2 1/2 inches across and has no makers mark on the bottom or in the design.  The glass is quite clear with numerous small air bubbles.  It's hard to see in the photos but there are some metallic bronze pieces among the glass.

Can anyone confirm that this is a Chinese paperweight?  Thank you for your help!   :)

Title: Re: Grandmother's paperweight, Chinese 1930's?
Post by: chopin-liszt on June 23, 2021, 06:32:29 PM

Hi and welcome.  :)
I suspect it is Murano rather than '30s Chinese.
The metallic bits you describe sound like aventurine and I don't think that was used in early Chinese weights, but it was in Murano. The canes are rather more complex than I'd expect from Chinese work.
I think it's a design generally called a scramble -  mix of lots of different canes.
But don't take my word for it! Paperweights are not my area - and there are others here who know far more than I do who will be able to tell you much more.  ;D

Title: Re: Grandmother's paperweight, Chinese 1930's?
Post by: Nick77 on June 23, 2021, 06:48:53 PM

Definitely Chinese and 40's to 50's I'd say.

Nick

Title: Re: Grandmother's paperweight, Chinese 1930's?
Post by: Embroidered on June 23, 2021, 07:02:09 PM

Thank you both!  I don't know much about paperweights and it's interesting to learn.  I've always loved it and I'm glad that Grandma gave it to me.

Title: Re: Grandmother's paperweight, Chinese 1930's?
Post by: chopin-liszt on June 23, 2021, 07:16:07 PM

That's me told.  :) Sorry. I was wrong.

Title: Re: Grandmother's paperweight, Chinese 1930's?
Post by: paperweights on June 27, 2021, 02:48:40 AM

Definitely 1930s Chinese.

Title: Re: Grandmother's paperweight, Chinese 1930's?
Post by: Nick77 on June 27, 2021, 11:00:59 AM

Opinions as to age vary ;D

http://www.pwts.co.uk/pages/chinese%20old%20new.html (http://www.pwts.co.uk/pages/chinese%20old%20new.html)

Title: Re: Grandmother's paperweight, Chinese 1930's?
Post by: paperweights on June 28, 2021, 07:44:18 AM

I agree - we often disagree.  However, the posted paperweight is 1930s if not earlier.