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Post by thespeechless on Jul 29, 2006 14:27:45 GMT -5
I thought I would make a topic about Murano glass. It is hard for me to tell, by just looking at these pictures, whether an item is authenic or a ripoff. I am going to simply use my 'eye' to determine the true provenance of whatever pictures you and I would like to post here. Enjoy the tour and please don't touch the glass! In fact, if you could stay at least an arm's length back, that would be best.
Before we begin, you should know:
By the 14th century, glass makers were allowed to wear swords, enjoyed immunity from prosecution by the Venetian state and found their daughters married into Venice’s most affluent families. Of course there was a catch: Glassmakers weren't allowed to leave the Republic. If a craftsman wanted to move his business out of Venetian territory, he risked assassination or, perhaps worse, having the secret police cut his hands off.
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Post by thespeechless on Jul 29, 2006 14:30:38 GMT -5
Let me back up a sec:
Located off the shore of Venice, Italy, the island of Murano was a commercial port as far back as the 7th Century.
Murano’s reputation as a center for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic, fearing fire and destruction to the city’s mostly wood buildings, ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291.
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Post by Piemonte-Sardegna on Jul 29, 2006 14:37:24 GMT -5
Just two weeks ago, I was in Venice with some family. We did manage to check out some of the Murano glass. It is so beautiful, but accidenti, it is so extremely expensive (for good reason!)!
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Post by thespeechless on Jul 29, 2006 14:41:59 GMT -5
 I'm gonna go with FAKE for this one above that I found at the Shrimp & Glass Festival in Alabama, USA. This chandelier, while every bit as colorful as the real McCoy, well let me just say nothing more.  Next we have this one. I think it is actually Murano, but a 'reproduction.' Even though they did actually make this style back in the 17-th century. Obviously, the translucent red glass is beautifully luminous when lit. (I am pretty sure Sarah Jessica Parker has one like this in her dining room, but in a cobalt blue.) |
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Post by thespeechless on Jul 29, 2006 14:49:19 GMT -5
Just two weeks ago, I was in Venice with some family. We did manage to check out some of the Murano glass. It is so beautiful, but accidenti, it is so extremely expensive (for good reason!)! If money was no object, what would you have wanted to take home? |
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Post by thespeechless on Jul 29, 2006 15:04:26 GMT -5
 The jury is out on this one. Although I am leaning 60/40 on real. I see that it is signed by Sandro Frattin and while not a 'one-of-a-kind original,' it is still original, being one of 20 that were 'handmade' by Sandro. Not molded. |
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Post by thespeechless on Jul 29, 2006 18:29:45 GMT -5
FYI-Christie's people are going to tell my people if any Murano glass 'of interest' comes up on the auction block. Their people have very good eyes when if comes to authenticating these items. I will only post here the creme-de-la-creme because you guys deserve nothing less.
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Post by thespeechless on Aug 12, 2006 14:57:34 GMT -5
 A Murano glass horse. |
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Post by thespeechless on Aug 12, 2006 15:11:30 GMT -5
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Post by thespeechless on Dec 14, 2006 15:07:19 GMT -5
Let me know if you are interested in these vases. Send me money and I will bid on them for you.  Estimated worth $140,000 - 180,000 U.S. dollars Blower ERCOLE BAROVIER (1889-1974) A Pair of Blown and Applied Glass 'Primavera' Vases, 1929-30 executed by the Vetreria Artistica Barovier one 14½ in. (37 cm.) high, the other vase 14¼ in. (36.2 cm.) high (2) The Primavera series was first presented by Barovier at the 1930 XVII Biennale in Venice and comprised vases, vessels and compotes. 'Primavera,' characterized by colorless glass internally decorated with a white crackled netting, was accidentally discovered by Barovier whilst mixing chemicals. The technique prompted international acclaim, however limited numbers of designs were produced. The technique of producing 'Primavera' glass has been lost, and to this day has proven impossible to replicate. |
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Post by rossetto on Dec 14, 2006 17:37:48 GMT -5
Wow, all that glass is soo beautifull. Thank you for sharing those pictures and the tid-bit of history with us. We would love to learn more about Venice and the history around it.
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Post by thespeechless on Apr 1, 2007 11:40:59 GMT -5
These look really fresh for spring, don't they.   TWO ITALIAN MURANO COLORED GLASS VASES, THE FIRST SEGUSO, CIRCA 1940, THE SECOND, PAULY & C.C.V.M., CIRCA 1955, the first green, the second pink with translucent white overlay of pear form with elongated neck The green vase 10¼in. (26.7cm.) high (2) Estimate 1,200 - 1,600 U.S. dollars Christie's, New York, Rockefeller Plaza Sale Date Apr 04, 2007 - Apr 05, 2007 |
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