Murano Glass - Thanks to Wingett.com
I will be attending a very large house sale on the south side of Chicago this weekend and as I was previewing the sale I spotted something of interest. It was a Murano sculpture by a noted artist that may prove to be a treasure. Yes, there are many other items that I may have interest in, but this sculpture jumped out at me.
Murano glass can prove to be a plus or minus to the purchaser because there is so little known about it by the average dealer. My first encounter with Murano was when I discovered the glass clowns made in Mexico to imitate the Murano originals. I had no idea about the beauty and quality of the vases, bowls and sculptures, made by the best glass artists in the world, that were produced on the Venetian island of Murano. Like many others, I thought that Murano was a manufacturing company, when actually it is an island off the coast of Italy. They have been making quality glass on that island for centuries and most people say that the glass manufacturing started there in the 9th century. Even today there are many glass factories active on the island and the best collectors in the world search for examples of the leading artists from that island.
Once you have seen an example of the beauty that these artists can produce from glass, you will never forget it. Most glass that is meant to look like Murano is of poor quality and of very little value compared to the originals. However, the real things can bring in the tens of thousands and maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the artist that made them. The brilliant colors and perfection of their glass puts these pieces of art glass in a category by themselves.
It is important to do your research as I did mine on the piece I am going to look at this weekend. I found where this very piece had been sold at auction here in Chicago recently so I know what the owners paid for it which gives me a good idea as to what I should offer. Most all important pieces of Murano are going to be signed by the artist and dated so if you find a piece, even if it catches your eye, unless you find a comp of the piece don't consider it Murano. Here are a few examples of Murano glass from auctions: Dino Rosin sculpture of a guitar $9,900, vase by Carlo Scarpr limited edition $8500, Vistosi Pulcino by Pianon – glass birds $1057 and a sculpture called Moonwalk by Dino Rosin $1025. These were just a few that I could find easily but there are others that sell for many times these prices.
There is a great book Murano Glass [ 1910 – 1970 ] by Marc Heirmans, but it is expensive. If you keep your eyes open, there might be one that comes your way at a sale. Remember your success will follow your resources so don't fail to put a little of your profits back into your library.
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Soooo cute! what a royal colour..good luck!
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