G. Ferro?

[tam bam]

Hi again,

I purchased another piece as well that is signed G. Ferro and it appears to be a limited addition. I would like to know who G. Ferro is? Galliano or Giorgio Ferro? I posted it on the other glass forum but still do not have an answer and decided to post here as well. If anyone knows please post. It is driving me nuts because it could be either one. I haven't seen either one's signature so I don't have a clue but it has to be one of the two.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190334743151&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Thanks,
tam bam

[fossilfly]

Hi again,

I purchased another piece as well that is signed G. Ferro and it appears to be a limited addition. I would like to know who G. Ferro is? Galliano or Giorgio Ferro? I posted it on the other glass forum but still do not have an answer and decided to post here as well. If anyone knows please post. It is driving me nuts because it could be either one. I haven't seen either one's signature so I don't have a clue but it has to be one of the two.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190334743151&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Thanks,
tam bam

I have always assumed it to be Galliano Ferro, but not that you mention it, I do not recall the source for this info. It was probably from one of the books.

[tam bam]

Thanks Charlie. I am leaning toward Galliano as well but can't find anything to back my claim so I guess for now I will just call it G. Ferro until I do.

If you do happen to run across that info please share it with me and I would be most grateful. :)

tam bam

[fossilfly]

The company Galliano Ferro is still around, they make murano chandeliers and lighting, it seems likely that they also made art glass. Here is the site:

http://www.gallianoferro.it/homeng.asp

Heres a lamp with the same label:

http://swanklighting.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_item_detail.php?id=333490 (http://swanklighting.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_item_detail.php?id=333490)

[fossilfly]

Confusing matters:

in 1955 Galliano Ferro and his son Giorgio withdrew to found Vetreria Galliano Ferro.

The above is from this page:
http://www.boglewood.com/murano/producers/avem.html, by the Murano Magic author, Carl I. Gable.

[tam bam]

Thanks Charlie!:cool: I was curious as to whether which one myself since I laid eyes on it, that is why I had to buy it because it is a mystery as to which Ferro brother.

I did receive it yesterday and it is just spectacular. It is designed so well that you can see the roots and branches in the tree. It is the neatest thing I have ever seen! I am still thinking it is Galliano but no matter who did it, it is a well made and intriguing piece.

Thanks again Charlie and if you or anyone else come across any info on the piece or signature please feel free to post. I would love to know who did it.

tam bam

[Langhaugh]

Tam Bam:

I've always assumed that if a label had the initials GF, then it was Galliano Ferro. Certainly, the label with the black head on it is Galliano Ferro. I've not heard of a company called Giorgio Ferro, (there's lots I haven't heard of I'm sure). Do you have information that there was a Giorgio Ferro company? The Giorgio Ferro who was a director of Galliano Ferro is unlikely to have made, or designed, this ppw. (his age, what he designed etc)

Complicating the matter is the number of Ferro's in Murano. It's quite possible that the "G. Ferro" whose name is on the ppw is a younger person working on his own in Murano, or elsewhere. I'd expect if it were Galliano Ferro is would be signed GF or with the whole name.

As an aside, I found this thread when I googled "GF labels." I bought the little bird in attached photo by mistake (don't ask me how; I can live with it) and it has a GF label I've never seen before.

David

[tam bam]

Thanks David for the reply. It certainly is very possible that the signature could be another Ferro.

Here is some sites that I found regarding Giorgio Ferro in it and Galliano Ferro.

http://www.italian-glass.net/avem.html

http://www.olnickspanu.com/Artists/Ferro.html

After this last link I do want to correct myself. Giorgio is the son of Galliano Ferro not the two were brothers.

http://www.gallianoferro.it/

tam bam

P.S. I like these lamps.

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=328207

[TxSilver]

David, I will really be sad if you don't send me that picture of your bird so I can put it in the zoo.

[Langhaugh]

Anita:

I'll do it tomorrow. He's only nice from the left. I don't know what happened to his right eye. I was going to ask you anyhow if you thought this was Galliano Ferro, but I knew you were busy today.

Tam Bam: Yes, those are the pretty much the same sources I have for Giorgio Ferro, plus Gable 'Murano Magic.' That's why I don't think it's that particular Giorgio Ferro who made your ppw.

Wow, those are quite the lamps. At first I was reminded of those horrible bowls made of broken pieces of glass, but when you look at them, they seem to use the same technique as Venini's Occhi. Technically very good. How much? Will we see pictures of them in your living room?

David

[Jurgen]

Hi all..............Looked in the catalogue "Glass in Murano" from 1983 yesterday and found Galliano Ferro (the same company Charlie found and they still have the same telephone no, but different address). I also found Ferro&Cimegotto. I found Ferro&Lazzarini S.r.l. too! Hang-on, F.LLI Ferro S.n.c........................Jerry

[tam bam]

Cool, thanks so much Jerry! I was googling some of the your suggested names and came across that Ferro & Cimegotto does paperweights so I would love to see more of what they have made or find out any more info on this company.

I don't think it was Ferro & Lazzarini. I checked out their website and found no mention of a G. Ferro. I would also like to know more about F.LLI Ferro S.n.c as well. Thanks so much everyone for the great info. I really appreciate it. This one sure is a toughy! :confused:

tam bam

[fossilfly]

Try shooting Galliano Ferro an email and a photo, they would probably be happy to assist.

[tam bam]

Thanks Charlie. I think that is also a great idea. I will try and get some photos of it soon. I think that is going to be the only way to find out as well is to just send pics to a few of the current Ferro companies.

tam bam

[Jurgen]

Hi Tami..............I think F.LLI. FERRO S.n.c. made mostly goblets,lamps,etc glass with decorations in enamel on gold leaf as in the hot tea pot posting!!.............Jerry

[tam bam]

Thanks so much Jerry. I know exactly what you are talking about.:)

[tam bam]

I don't know why I did not notice this before but Giorgio Ferro's signature is on the home page of Galliano Ferro's website. The way the G has an opening of at the top just like the G. on my pw. Also the F looks very similar as well. I am wondering.... I will try and e-mail the company this week. I am very curious now.
http://www.gallianoferro.it/

I was also looking at the pw in the sun light today and noticed that the amber color to the pw is actually murrines infused together. You can only tell this in direct sunlight. It is quite mesmerizing.

I also found this cute chicken. Too bad his beak is chipped because he is really nice.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/whimsical-giorgio-ferro-chicken-figurine-royal

tam bam

[Langhaugh]

Tami:

Have a look at the ppw attributed to GF on this link. It bears some similarity to yours.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiwiglassbird/3478032003/in/set-72157616618865802/

I don't see the the signature on the ppw being the same as the signature shown on the company web site. Also, it's very unlikely that Giorigo would sign a ppw. I still think it's Galliano Ferro or a small furnace. Writing to GF might get results. The other suggestion I have is putting it on the PPW section at the GMB. There are people on there vastly knowledgeable about ppw; I'm not.

David

[tam bam]

Thanks David! Yes I see the similarity in the murrines as mine in the tree.

I do have to disagree about the similarity with Giorgio Ferro's signature. I was looking at the G. in Giorgio on Galliano Ferro's website and saw that it looked similar and the F as well. Signing a piece of paper and signing with a diamond can make the signature a bit different. As everyone knows, I mainly collect Franco Moretti and everytime he signs a piece it is a bit different He may sign Franco Moretti or Moretti Franco and the letters may be off some what from another piece. It is just something you have to take into consideration. You have to remember too that Galliano and Giorgio did work for A.Ve.M. and it was only when Giorgio took over from his father in 1972 did the company focus only on lighting so the both of them did produce some other pieces that were not related to lighting. Too bad the G. is not spelled out and I think it would be clear as to who it is.

I may and try and post it on the GMB paperweight section and see what if that helps.

Why do think that he would not sign a paperweight? Just curious. I have seen many masters sign paperweights. The important thing is that you found a paperweight that Galliano Ferro did so it is very feasible that this company did the pw. Whether it is Giorgio or Galliano himself. Just because it is not big and grand doesn't mean that the glass master wouldn't sign a paperweight. Of course, that is my opinion and from what I have experienced in collecting glass. :D

Thanks again and sorry if I don't see things your way but that makes this so interesting don't you think?

tam bam

[Langhaugh]

Hi Tami:

I thought you'd like the link. We'll just have to agree to disagree on the signature. My understanding of how the big houses worked was that the designers designed and the masters followed their designs, and, if it was to be signed, not that common, added the signature. It begins to blur a bit when you have people who are both designers and maestros. which is a late 20th Century phenomenon with Archimede Seguso, Barbini, Lino Tagliapietro. My understanding is that Giorgio was the designer and artistic director, but wasn't involved in the production side of the business, so wan't a glass master. So it was unlikely he would sign. It's the same with Scandinavian glass. But no reason why there can't be an exception to any 'rule,' particularly in glass.

I didn't know you collected Franco Moretti, and, blush, I have to admit I didn't know who Franco Moretti is/was. Did the same Franco Moretti design these two pieces? I see one is from Anita and so we can trust it.

http://content.liveauctioneers.com/item/5977244

http://www.trocadero.com/SanMarcosGlass/items/903788/item903788store.html

No need to apologize for not seeing things my way. For me, the whole point of these conversations is learning, and that includes sometimes learning that I'm wrong.

David

[TxSilver]

Franco Moretti does do good work, doesn't he? Tami pointed out the duck to me and I couldn't resist it. I had heard of Franco, but Tami made me more aware of his work.

I don't know if we'll be able to sort if the G. on the paperweight is Galliano or Giorgio. They were intimately tied, both in family and in work. I've not seen any AVeM weights that were numbered, so I would guess it is a later weight. Now if we happened to find one like this that had an AVeM label, I would change my thinking. I am still learning toward Galliano simply because it is the name of the company.

[tam bam]

Thanks David for the information and I hope there are no hard feelings. I thank you for the info you just gave me. I am still learning as well and sometimes I get things wrong as well.

I will admit, I was doing some more research this morning on the pw and found another one with a label and I will admit, I think you are right. I was just getting ready to post it when I saw your post back to me.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5225433#

Still who is G. Ferro? This is going to be tough. Your right, I think it is made by a more modern company. Thanks so much for your input and you sure do make a good debate partner. LOL!;)

About the Franco Moretti pieces. Yes, not too many people know who he is but he has made some really nice pieces. Anita's is authenic and so is the vase. Both pieces are signed. Franco is Alessandro Moretti's son and Roberto Moretti's nephew. Alessandro and Roberto migrated to the U.S. and was artistic directors of Pilgrim Glass at one point and really made Pilgrim Glass popular. Franco stayed in Murano and continues to make glass there.

Again, sorry to disagree but it does turn out that you are very correct.:D

tam bam

[Langhaugh]

Tami:

Of course no hard feelings. I'm happy to learn that GF made ppw's. I wonder how much the one on that link old for. I was a little disappointed that nobody on GMB ppw forum was able to help out. I hadn't realized that you already had it on GMB.

Is that date that the auction house gave for the vase right? They had it as ca 1930 and Anita says her duck is recent. Does everybody in Murano make glass in their 90's? There's hope for me yet.

David

[TxSilver]

David, I'm not surprised that the paperweight group had no answers. They are mostly into glass from Scotland. A couple of people know some about Fratelli Toso weights. Alan started a Murano paperweight site at http://www.pwts.co.uk/pages/Murano1.htm. It is a very strong start that I think many people may find helpful.

About Franco Moretti -- it is difficult to find much about him on the internet. The little I have found dates his pieces in the years around 2000. I consider anything post-1980 as being contemporary. Franco is the second Franco Moretti who made glass. I believe that the Franco who made Tami's perfume bottle and my duck is still making glass today. Tami knows a lot more about him, so she can give more accurate information. I just like his glass, but don't know a lot about him.

I have to add that the vase in the auction does not look 1930s to me. I don't recall seeing that type of finish on an old vase.

[Jurgen]

Hi Anita................So where do we send Alan some pictures of known paper weights?..................Jerry

[TxSilver]

Jerry, I'm sending his email address to your hotmail address. He needs pictures from the top, side, and bottom. He also needs documentation, e.g. good resolution of the label or a expert reference (book, expert online site). The address will be to you in a minute. I hope you have some good AVeM weights for him. I bet he would like the Ferro pwt, too. :)

[tam bam]

Hi David,

Anita is right. There isn't a whole lot out there on Franco Moretti and that is a shame. I have noticed that there isn't a whole lot out there on the current glass houses of Murano and their Maestros and Designers. It is really tough out there for the people who like more modern Murano glass. I do like a lot of the newer glass but most collectors only collect the older pieces therefore there is more out there on the old glass houses. If I had the money and resources I would try and come up with a book on the newer glasshouses.

The vase with the flowers I have also seen somewhere else but I cannot find the website anymore. I think it was made either in the 80's or 90's. Franco was not producing glass in the 1930's. I hate it when sellers use a bunch of hype to sell a piece of glass. It is just inaccurate and it should not be spread because there is already enough confusion anyway.

I have noticed something that I have mentioned before in this thread. Franco doesn't sign his name the exact same way every time. What I mean is that I have an elephanet that I believe is made in the early 80's but not for certain and he signs his name Murano Franco Moretti and I have 4 birds of his and they are signed Moretti Franco. I just recently purchased two bottles by him and they are signed Franco Moretti so it is a bit tricky when it comes to his signatures I have found.

I better run and go back to work. :D

tam bam

[tam bam]

I came across the Yalos Casa website this morning and found this. Maybe he is G. Ferro? I might send him an e-mail.

http://www.ferromurano.it/yalosmurano/_designers_gb.html

tam bam

[tam bam]

I think I have figured out who made my paperweight. Since it is a current company I just came across in Glass Notes the name of another Ferro company. It is called Ferro e Cimegotto. I wasn't aware of this company and read they make paperweights, glass tiles for enameling and gilding on black velvet panels. My pw is most likely by them.

tam bam