Murano Paperweights for Sale
Murano Paperweights for Sale
The glass paperweights on this page were made on the Island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Most were made between 1960 and 2000.
Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s.
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| 5242 | Magnum Murano Faceted Double Overlay
Three Row Concentric Millefiori Paperweight with 1854
Date. circa 1960-1970. A wonderful Murano three
row concentric millefiori paperweight with a red and white double
overlay. The 1854 date cane is surrounded by three rings of
identical white cog canes with turquoise centers. The "1854"
date cane is either a fake date intended to deceive the buyer or
perhaps commemorative of a past event. This paperweight is
faceted with one large top facet and five side facets. The
top facet has an unusual cutting as does the base which is
polished flat and finished with a fancy star cut. Probably
made in the 1960s by Fratelli Toso. A classic design. Murano paperweights with fake dates are an interesting sub-collection. Some people collect these paperweights with the goal of getting examples of each date. Some dates correspond dates used in real antique French or American paperweights, but there are no antique paperweights known to have an 1854 date. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Fratelli Toso was started in 1854 by six brothers - Angelo Toso, Giovanni Toso, Ferdinando Toso, Carlo Toso, Gregorio Toso and Liberato Toso. They were joined by Ermanno Toso in 1924 who became artistic director. The Fratelli Toso company is well known for its use of colorful murrines and millefiori, particularly during the 1950's and earlier. In 1979, the company suffered a harsh economic crisis, forcing the owners to divide it into Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso and Fratelli Toso International. In 1981, Fratelli Toso International filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors for good. Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso, led by Arnoldo Toso, continued to operate. Very large size: 3 3/16" diameter by 2 1/8"
high. The base is polished flat and finished with a fancy
star cut. This paperweight is faceted with one large top
facet and five smaller side facets. The top facet has an
unusual cutting. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$145 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5128 | Large Murano Scramble
Paperweight. circa 1970. This fun scramble
paperweight is filled with light blue twist canes placed over a
ground of white lace or upset muslin. The blue twists have
gold aventurine edges. Unsigned. Note: Please ignore the white areas, they are glare from the lights. This paperweight has a faint scratch on the top of the dome. I also found a tiny (1/8") area on the side that appears to be debris in the glass. It cannot be felt and is not a bruise or pinprick. See the pictures for a closeup. Although many people collect scramble paperweights for their own merit, scrambles are also valuable tools for learning to identify the different colors and canes used by each factory. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Large Size: 3" diameter by just under 2
11/16" high. The base is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$65 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5547 | Small Murano Latticinio and Twist Crown
Paperweight. circa 1970. Wonderful example
of a Murano crown paperweight formed from 24 colorful twists
alternating in color. Every other twist is a white
latticinio twist. Alternating colors are blue, dark blue,
green, and pink. A fun paperweight with good color. Technically a crown weight should have a crown millefiori or group of millefiori on top. This weight does not. Crown weights are considered by some to be the most exciting of all millefiori designs. They are extremely difficult to make. Pedestal crowns are the most desirable. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Small size: Just under 2 1/4" diameter by just
under 1 9/16" high. The base is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large pictureSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture
to see a larger image  |
| 5304 | Large Murano Spaced Millefiori on Lace
Paperweight with Rare Signature Cane and KB Label - Probably by
Fratelli Toso. dated 1969. This
paperweight is a good example of a Murano spaced millefiori
paperweight with eight bright colored millefiori canes plus a rare
signature cane placed on a lace ground. The signature cane
reads "M.B 69" in blue letters on a white background. This
signature cane has been previously recorded and a variation
appears in Andrew Dohan's Dictionary of Paperweight Signature
Canes", revised edition. At this time, the precise
meaning of the signature cane is unknown. In addition, it
has a worn and faded silver foil label from KB (Koscherak
Brothers) stating that it is "AN ORIGINAL CREATION BY KB.
MADE IN ITALY".
This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Koscherak Brothers (KB) were importers of Murano glass and Italian pottery from the 1950s until the late 1970s . At the time, they had a showroom at 225 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. Some writers have observed that most of the Italian Glass imported under the KB Label was made by Fratelli Toso, but others have noted that KB labels appear on other good Italian glass including Barovier-Toso, Seguso, and others. KB is believed to have stopped importing Italian glass about 1977, but continued to exist in New York City until at least 1993. Large Size: 2 15/16" diameter by 2 5/8"
high. The base is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$195 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture
to see a larger image  |
| 5640 | Large Murano Crown Hollow Blown
Paperweight - Probably Fratelli Toso. circa
1950-1970. Colorful Murano crown crown paperweight.
The weight is formed from 16 alternating strands of pink , red,
and lavender twists. This crown paperweight is unusual in
that it is hollow blown with a large bubble in the center in the
style of antique crown paperweights. Most modern crown
paperweights are solid in the center. A great example for
any collector of paperweights or Murano glass. Probably made
by Fratelli Toso.
Crown weights are considered by some to be the most exciting of all millefiori designs. They are extremely difficult to make. Hollow blown crown weights are even more difficult to make and are hard to find. A similar hollow crown paperweight appears on page 51 of the book Paperweights by Sibylle Jargstorf and is attributed to Fratelli Toso. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Fratelli Toso was started in 1854 by six brothers - Angelo Toso, Giovanni Toso, Ferdinando Toso, Carlo Toso, Gregorio Toso and Liberato Toso. They were joined by Ermanno Toso in 1924 who became artistic director. The Fratelli Toso company is well known for its use of colorful murrines and millefiori, particularly during the 1950's and earlier. In 1979, the company suffered a harsh economic crisis, forcing the owners to divide it into Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso and Fratelli Toso International. In 1981, Fratelli Toso International filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors for good. Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso, led by Arnoldo Toso, continued to operate. Large Size: Just under 2 15/16" diameter by
2 3/8" high. The bottom is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$135 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 5689 | Large Colorful Murano Millefiori
Paperweight with Seven Large Flower Canes - Probably
Seguso. circa 1960-1980. Colorful
millefiori paperweight with a closepacked design consisting of
seven identical large flower canes. There is a clear
ground. Unsigned, but Seguso signed examples of this design
exist. An interesting design. Although there are examples of this paperweight design with labels from the Archimede Seguso company in Murano "ARCHIMEDE SEGUSO MURANO MADE IN ITALY" and also from their showroom in Milan - "SEGUSO C. SORDA VITTORIA, 40, TEL. 799648, MILANO", this example is unsigned. This paperweight was made on the island
of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass
making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit
for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in
1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in
the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Archimede Seguso (1909-1999) was an Italian glass artist known for his intricate glass vases, necklaces, and sculptures. Spanning a wide range of forms and colors, his subject matter included animals and abstract shapes. He was part of an illustrious legacy of Italian glassmakers, their ancestry spanning over six centuries to the 14th century. Seguso notably led a revival of ancient Venetian glass-making techniques, specifically filigrana, which produced lattice-like patterns. Seguso ran the family business Seguso Vetri d'Arte, from 1937 to 1942. After 1942 he devoted his time to research and innovation and continued to produce many artistic breakthroughs. The Seguso company continues to produce glass today. Seguso works are included in many private and museum collections. Large size: Just under 3 1/8" diameter by just
under 1 7/8" high. The bottom is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large pictureSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture
to see a larger image |
| 5637 | Medium Murano Spaced Millefiori on
Twists Paperweight - Probably by Fratelli Toso.
circa 1960s - 1970s. This paperweight is a good example of a
Murano spaced millefiori paperweight with a twist ground.
There are three large bright colored millefiori canes near the
surface of the paperweight. The underlying ground is made up
of an assortment of colored twists and white latticino
twists. Bright and colorful. A fun paperweight. Note: This is sometimes called a scrambled millefiori paperweight, but that would be technically incorrect because the millefiori slices are all placed on top of the twist ground rather than mixed throughout. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Medium size: 2 7/16" diameter by 2 1/4"
high. The base is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large pictureSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture
to see a larger image  |
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Vintage Murano Concentric Paperweight with
1869 Date. circa 1930-1960. Vintage
concentric design with pedestal base and fake 1869 date. It
has five rings of cog and floral canes around the 1869 date
cane. This is a hard to find example of an early Murano
weight that was intended to fool collectors.
A similar paperweight is shown in Figures 69 & 71, page 42 of Selman's first book Paperweights for Collectors Size: 3"” diameter by 3 1/8” high. The
bottom is fire finished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$195 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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Murano Trumpet Flower Paperweight with
Label, possibly by Ferro and Lazzarini. Circa
1970. Murano trumpet or icepick flower paperweight with
seven flowers and a center bubble cushion ground. The
flowers are loosely arranged around a center flower. Each
flower is made from a colored millefiori slice that has been
pushed down to the bubble cushion ground. There is a planned
bubble in the center of each flower. This paperweight has
its original but worn red and gold foil label identifying it as
"MADE IN MURANO ITALY". The maker is possibly Ferro and
Lazzarini. A very nice elegant example of this style of
paperweight.
This style is also called an icepick flower because of the sharp tool used to push each flower down to the base. In this case the tool is pushed through a millefiori glass slice. Some authors call these morning glory flowers. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Size: Just over 3" diameter by 2 7/8" high.
The bottom is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$49 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 5638 | Unusual Magnum Murano Paperweight with
Floral Decoration on Blue Plaque. circa 1960 -
1980. This unusual paperweight features floral decoration
painted in enamel on a blue plaque. The painting is signed
"M. Allin". The paperweight does not have a label but I am
certain it was made on the island of Murano in Venice. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Very large size: 3 3/16" diameter by 2 3/4"
high. The base has been polished flat. This
paperweight has a high profile typical of Murano paperweights. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$69 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4038 | Colorful Murano Figural Bird Paperweight
- Made From Twist Canes. circa 1960s -
1970s. This paperweight is a good example of a Murano
figural paperweight. The bird is formed from seven colored
twist canes and seven alternating white latticinio twist canes
with eyes and beak added. The pink, green, blue, and yellow
colored twist canes have aventurine edges. Bright and
colorful. A fun paperweight. Note: Although this paperweight is beautifully made, there is some debris in the glass and there is some roughness at the end of the tail feathers - left by the tools used to snip the glass. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Size: Just under 3" long (beak to tail) by
diameter by 1 3/4" wide. The small base is polished
flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture to see a larger image  |
| 4075 | Small Fratelli Toso Murano Scramble
Paperweight. circa 1950-1970. This
fun scramble paperweight is filled with light blue and pink twist
canes. There is an illegible silver foil label, but I
guarantee this is a genuine Fratelli Toso paperweight. Note: This paperweight started off with a legible Fratelli Toso silver foil label which had a conjoined "ft" and "MADE IN ITALY MURANO GLASS", but the ink came off when I cleaned the paperweight. The label is now illegible and I am selling it for a reduced price. If you look hard, you can see the imprint of the conjoined "ft" on the left side. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Fratelli Toso was started in 1854 by six brothers - Angelo Toso, Giovanni Toso, Ferdinando Toso, Carlo Toso, Gregorio Toso and Liberato Toso. They were joined by Ermanno Toso in 1924 who became artistic director. The Fratelli Toso company is well known for its use of colorful murrines and millefiori, particularly during the 1950's and earlier. In 1979, the company suffered a harsh economic crisis, forcing the owners to divide it into Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso and Fratelli Toso International. In 1981, Fratelli Toso International filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors for good. Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso, led by Arnoldo Toso, continued to operate.
Small size: Just under 2 1/4" diameter by 2"
high. The base is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$39 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image
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| 4445 | Large Murano Pear
Paperweight. circa 1950-1980. This
pear paperweight is made in the style of the antique New England
Glass Company pear paperweights with a variegated pear set on a
clear slightly oval cookie base. It appears to be hollow
blown just like those from NEGC. An excellent example of
this style. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 3 15/16" long by 2
15/16" high. The base 2 13/16" by 2 11/16" and is fire
finished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$69 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4975 | Miniature Murano Three Ring Millefiori
Paperweight. circa 1960-1980. Colorful
miniature millefiori paperweight from Murano with a red white and
blue theme. This paperweight has three rings of cogged
millefiori around a nice center cane. It is in excellent
condition. The paperweight is unsigned. A fun item. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Miniature size: Just over 1 13/16" diameter by
just under 1 1/2" high. The base is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$34 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5639 | Large Fratelli Toso Murano Block
Shaped Millefiori Paperweight with Handle. circa
1960-1979. Colorful Fratelli Toso millefiori paperweight
with a knob or handle on top. The green inner core has a
variety of cogged millefiori canes on the surface of the green
layer. A controlled pattern of bubbles surrounds the inner
core. This paperweight has a worn Fratelli Toso silver foil
label with a conjoined "ft" and "MADE IN ITALY MURANO
GLASS". The center of the green core is hollow and the
paperweight has an irregular 5/8" by 1 1/2" hole in the
base. The knob on the top is a fun addition. The technique used to produce the inner core with millefiori canes on the surface is sometimes called a cane roll-up. The Murano firms of Fratelli Toso and Barovier & Toso produced objects with this technique. This paperweight was made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Venetian glass making dates back centuries and the Venetians are given credit for the earliest millefiori canes and paperweights in 1840s. More recently, paperweight making was revived in the 1930s and again in the 1960s. Fratelli Toso was started in 1854 by six brothers - Angelo Toso, Giovanni Toso, Ferdinando Toso, Carlo Toso, Gregorio Toso and Liberato Toso. They were joined by Ermanno Toso in 1924 who became artistic director. The Fratelli Toso company is well known for its use of colorful murrines and millefiori, particularly during the 1950's and earlier. In 1979, the company suffered a harsh economic crisis, forcing the owners to divide it into Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso and Fratelli Toso International. In 1981, Fratelli Toso International filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors for good. Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso, led by Arnoldo Toso, continued to operate. Size: 2 9/16" square at the widest. The
base is 2 1/8" square. 4 5/8" high including the
knob. The base is polished flat with a beveled edge. The
center of the green core is hollow and the paperweight has an
irregular 5/8" by 1 1/2" hole in the base. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$59 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
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Revised 10/29/2022 EI9
