Vase, Bowl and Lighter... ID Help Please

[biddaeverything]

Hello, all...
I believe this lighter/vase is by Barbini but could use some confirmation or other ideas about who might be the artist. Any ideas?
http://www.schellers.org/ebay_images/barb1.jpg
http://www.schellers.org/ebay_images/barb4.jpg

This vase looks to me to be a "clam shell" vase but I don't know to whom it should be attributed. If it's not a clam shell, any suggestions about what is it's proper name?
http://www.schellers.org/ebay_images/clam1.jpg
http://www.schellers.org/ebay_images/clam4.jpg

This is one of my favorite bowls. Again, I assume that it's Murano but don't know the artist. Any help would be fabulous.
http://www.schellers.org/ebay_images/grad6.jpg
http://www.schellers.org/ebay_images/grad5.jpg
http://www.schellers.org/ebay_images/grad3.jpg

Thanks for looking,

Bidda

[glassman]

Bidda,
I would think that the lighter is by Ballarin, they have made many of these in different styles and colors throughout the 50's and 60's.

The vase you mentioned shares its shape with another vase found in another thread here:

http://www.fossilfly.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=345&highlight=oball

[biddaeverything]

Thanks, Alex :)

I have been looking for an image of a similar Ballarin lighter but have been unable to find one. Can you point me in the right direction?

As for the vase: mine does have base wear consistant with age but the pictures of the vase in that thread didn't show the pulled center points that mine has. Do you know if these points are consistant with Cenedese design elements?

A lot of the glass I have is destined for resale and I try to do as much research as I can so that I'm able to back up any attributions I claim. If I can't support an attribution, I don't make one. If I'm fairly sure of it's origin I might say something such as, "I believe this is..." or "design is consistant with..." but I won't say I'm certain unless I am; even if someone else tells me that they are. :p Integrity is a dying trait but I'm stubbern. :)

Have a wonderful day,

Bidda
Bidda,
I would think that the lighter is by Ballarin, they have made many of these in different styles and colors throughout the 50's and 60's.

The vase you mentioned shares its shape with another vase found in another thread here:

http://www.fossilfly.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=345&highlight=oball

[glassman]

I must have been half asleep. I saw your posting about Ballarin. I meant Barbini. Here is a link to a lighter with a similar design, if not shape.

http://www.goantiques.com/detail,murano-barbini-pink,1154169.html?source=VYZ4474

It is great to see that you are trying to research your items before putting them up for sale! There is so much junk and outright fraud on ebay, is discouraging.

Thanks, Alex :)

I have been looking for an image of a similar Ballarin lighter but have been unable to find one. Can you point me in the right direction?

As for the vase: mine does have base wear consistant with age but the pictures of the vase in that thread didn't show the pulled center points that mine has. Do you know if these points are consistant with Cenedese design elements?

A lot of the glass I have is destined for resale and I try to do as much research as I can so that I'm able to back up any attributions I claim. If I can't support an attribution, I don't make one. If I'm fairly sure of it's origin I might say something such as, "I believe this is..." or "design is consistant with..." but I won't say I'm certain unless I am; even if someone else tells me that they are. :p Integrity is a dying trait but I'm stubbern. :)

Have a wonderful day,

Bidda

[TxSilver]

Amen, Alex. I usually pay no attention to the attributions. I would estimate that 80% of the things on eBay are attributed to the wrong people. I usually consider any attribution to Dino Martens as meaning it has color or mezza filigrana. These pieces most often are non-Marten AVeM or Fratelli Toso. I usually consider attributions to Barbini as meaning "I have no idea who did this."

I believe that misattribution is probably seller's way of key-word spamming to stand out from the modern pieces that are sold in such abundance. The pieces that have the high shipping are mostly modern Murano. I found many of them at the "Art of Venice" site. These listings can be so numerous that it is discouraging to the people looking for vintage Murano. Attributing pieces to whoever is understandable, because people look for certain makers to get around the high-postage sellers. I don't mind people doing this, as long as the piece is vintage Murano and nice.

I've had another problem this week. I've received 4 pieces -- 2 mint, 2 with undescribed damage. Sometimes it is like playing the numbers buying on eBay. Unfortunately, I can't think of anywhere else to get Murano at such reasonable prices, so to me it is worth the chance.

I'll stop ranting now,
Anita

[biddaeverything]

Thanks, Glassman :) I thought the lighter was Barbini... was almost sure but, needed confirmation before I would feel right about saying so. :) Do you think the bowl might be as well? I saw one with the same shape but different colors a while ago that was attributed to Barbini but, it's so hard to know who really knows and who's just putting it in there to attract more attention.

Anita, I know what you mean about things not being listed accurately. It's enough to drive one crazy when something you've been eagerly awaiting (and paid your hard earned money for) turns out to have devaluating damage that wasn't mentioned in the listing. At least half of the time the sellers take no responsibility for it either which just steams me. My "favorite" is the, "send it back and I'll refund your bid" bit. So, you have to pay for shipping twice to get your bid back (which is often less than the original shipping) and you still have nothing to show for it. Grrr... I think that I'm a better seller because I'm a buyer too so, I understand both sides. I always feel more comfortable buying from sellers that have a buying history as well.

well, that's my twenty cents on that ;)

Bidda

[TxSilver]

Getting damaged things is bad. Last week I had a classic one for me. I received a handkerchief vase that had two internal cracks -- something that I imagine could only happen during manufacture. The seller said it must have happened during shipping and to take it to the post office. I knew it wasn't USPS damage, but I went through it (including waiting for the mailing receipt). To make a short story long :) the postmaster denied the insurance claim. He said that the seller had sent me a broken vase and wanted the post office to pay for it.

[But then, I get the two gorgeous mint pieces and the bad things disappear as soon as they are returned.]

I learned a couple of things that may help in the future. Both of the damaged pieces I bought had listings that were really short on substance. If someone glosses over the listing, chances are they also glossed over the inspection of the glass. They may say it is in excellent shape with no chips, etc., because they didn't look. Someone not into glass may not know the importance. I think I'll stick to listings in the future that have substance (good description and TOS) or asking lots of questions to try to get beyond a vague description if I am really interested in something.

Anita