Authentic Murano on eBay?

[gooberoot]

Hi there, I recently bid on an item on eBay that claims to be Murano art glass - a little fish figurine.
When I asked for authentication, the seller said that there is no sticker and no way to prove that it's Murano! :mad:

I would appreciate if you, the experts, would take a look and see if this person is selling fake stuff or is actually legit.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7306872668

This is the person's store:
http://stores.ebay.com/A-SALTIM-CRYSTALS-STORE_W0QQssPageNameZl2QQtZkm

By the way, what IS Murano glass? Glass items/figures MADE in a particular city or by a specific COMPANY? :o Newbie here. :)

-ernie

[glassman]

Ernie, For a newbie you ask a lot of tough questions :)

Murano glass is hand blown and formed glass, made exclusively on the island of Murano, a few miles from Venice, Italy.

Its impossible to tell if it real or not, just by a photo, but I would generally follow the guidelines that if any seller can't authenticate it; I would bid elsewhere.

[fossilfly]

I dont want to accuse anyone of selling counterfeit Murano glass, but you are correct in asking a lot of questions as it does happen.

For everything on my site, it either has a label or a certificate of authenticity directly from the manufacturer, and could produce an invoice from Murano if a question was ever raised about its authenticity.

There are a lot of threads on this subject as well at the Murano Glass Society bulletin board. (http://www.glass-time.com/messages/viewforum.php?f=6)

[gooberoot]

thanks for the info everyone.
I will be more careful when buying art glass on ebay!!

-ernie

[italiacongusto]

Ernie hi!

I just saw your posting...I had the same problem when I started up my business...(we're exporting Murano glass deco and some other traditional Italian handicraft).
In order to avoid buying (and selling) something not really original we are only buying either from Murano or Venice 's manufacturers or from resellers who give us articles with a certificate of origin...not easy to know it at a first sight though...even for an Italian I can ensure you!

good luck with your bidding

:D

Nad
www.italiacongusto.com

[lksmith]

I've just purchased a piece listed and described as a Venetian Murano Art Glass Rooster. There are no labels or tags or anything else to guarantee authenticity. If there's no label or certificate how does one know? I asked the seller and she claims she was told it was purchased in Italy as Murano.
Thoughts are welcome!!