Please Help Identify Bird Figurines

[sleet7277]

I am trying to find out if these two bird figurines I recently acquired are indeed Murano. Any information would be deeply appreciated since I have been unable to find anything after many days looking through ebay listings and everything else I can find. Thank you.

[publius71]

does it have any marks/labels? Where did you get it from?
How large is it?

[sleet7277]

No there are no marks of any kind on it. It was in the estate of an elderly couple with who immigrated here from Europe as near as we can determine. They had alot of china and collectibles from czhecoslavkia. It is in perfect condition. I am a collector of Kosta Boda and have often seen Murano pieces and thought they were beautiful. When I saw these birds (there are 2 of them) we immediately purchased them. Does Murano have a mark or are these fakes. They are about 14 1/2" high.

Purchased from an estate sale.
No marks of any kind.


THank you for your help.

[fossilfly]

Welcome to the forums! Much Murano glass does not have a label, or the label has either been removed or fell off over time, so the lack of a lable doesn't necessarily signify authenticity. I have seen similar styled birds made in Murano, so I think there is a good chance that they were made there.

Charlie

[sleet7277]

I found this additional information on ebay. An elephant that appears to be very similiar to the bubble pattern and coloration in my birds was posted for sale along with a silver tag which says Murano. I have enclosed a picture of both in hopes that someone may be able to tell me how much my birds are worth.

Thank you for your responses.

Birds were purchased from an estate sale. The previous-owner of the birds was known to have sent many things to the States from the area of Austria, Italy & Germany.
Mint Condition - no marks whatsoever

[glassman]

Hi. The label is a generic Murano label, so I don't know if it can be attributed to a specific mfr. Without a more concrete ID, it would by default shift back to a generic maker. As far as value, it would roughly be worth around $50-$65 each. However this can change if new information about the birds become available. Good Luck!

[sleet7277]

Thank you for your reply. The label I posted does not come my my birds, it comes from the elephant that is made out of a similiar looking pattern. I also posted this picture in another forum and the response I received was that this piece does look to be made by Barbinni. Does that help? Is Barbinni the artist, the factory, or style? My birds were acquired between 1950 - 1960 and were sent to the United States from Europe by a service man.*

They are 15" high

*new information I found in old letters from the estate.

http://home.earthlink.net/~zebra55/images/11DCFC0051.jpg

[fossilfly]

Barbini is both a company and person. Alfredo Barbini, started a glass making company in the 50's, and named it Barbini. They have made many birds and related animals, but I have not seen a Barbini bird similiar to yours, so I am uncertain that it is Barbini. However, there is a book, that you may find an answer in. (I currently do not have a copy)
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/1930000/1938986.gif (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9788886502566&userid=160trb5C28)

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/gresources/cleardot.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/gresources/cleardot.gifAnimals in Glass: A Murano Bestiary
Marina Barovier

Paperback, February 1997
Publisher: Canal & Stamperia Editrice
ISBN: 8886502567 (http://8886502567/)

Or you can contact Barbini directly at http://www.barbinimurano.com

Good Luck!
Charlie

[sleet7277]

Thank you for the information. I have done that and will let you know what the response from Barbini is. I appreciate the time you took to answer and now I'm off to find the book you recommended. :D

[fossilfly]

Glad I could help! Please post your findings, I would be interested in learning more!

[sleet7277]

The search goes on. I've not yet located the book you recommended, but after looking at every piece of glass I can find attributed to Barbini, I come to the conclusion that I need to look in other directions as well. :o I have found similar pieces but they are more attributable to Toso, which I think either you or someone else mentioned in an earlier post. The piece I found that most resembles my birds is a duck by Toso.

Still waiting to hear back from Barbini the company. Do they really answer the email inquiries? Again many thanks.:)