Barovier-Toso Signatures

[TxSilver]

Hi, all. Recently there have been some vases on eBay that have forged Barover & Toso signatures. I would give a link to one, but we would get into trouble with legalities. I don't have any forged vases around, so thought I would post a picture of a legitimate BT signature from one of their reticello vases. This signature is one that was used from the 1970s-early 1980s. Vases made later in the 1980s had a similar signature that was thicker, according to Heiremans in his book Murano Glass, Themes and Variations.

The forged vases were signed crudely over the middle of the vase -- where the pontil would be if the vases were blown. The valid BT vases I've seen had the signature more toward the edge of the base, even if the vases are decorated in the area. I don't know if this is always true. Please feel free to comment if there are some vases that are signed in the middle.

Two of the vases I've seen are Crate & Barrel vases that are worth $10-20. The one currently looks like it may also be C&B, but I am not sure. I'm just sure it isn't BT. Anyway... I thought I would warn people to be on the lookout for forged vases.