Murano Real or Fake

Green Murano Obelisk

When we first started collecting Murano Glass pieces it was a real learning curve.  We made some mistakes.  Some mistakes can be expensive.  Fortunately we wised up pretty fast.  There are some glaring differences between real Murano and fake Murano.  The best way to know the difference is to get books on Murano and study.  We have a library full of all sorts of reference books on everything that we are interested in collecting.

The first thing to realize is that not everyone is as honest as you would like them to be.  There are people out there who make it their business to deceive.  There are also people who resell glass who have been deceived themselves and pass on the pieces as real because they do not know better.  If you want to collect Murano glass arm yourself with knowledge.

"Dior" bottle by Ercole Barovier, 1960's.

Italy

The most glaring difference between real Murano and the fake Chinese Murano glass is the colors.  Murano glass colors are more subtle not as bright as the Chinese stuff.  Look for honest wear on the base.  The pieces should not be overly heavy, unless they are larger heavier pieces to begin with.  Not everything that has a sticker that says made in Murano was actually made there.  The stickers on the older pieces should look old they are paper backed foil stickers.  For the most part the fakes have a lot of clear glass near the bottom.  Sometimes the fancier the item the more likely that they are fakes.  They are even copying Dino Martinuzzi.   You are best off buying from reputable dealers.  Just because you have seen an item in a book does not guarantee that it is legit. If you are tempted inspect the piece for age related wear.  If it seems too good to be true beware. See  if you can get a return guarantee that will bide you time to check it out.  Think carefully before you buy.

Here is the first paragraph of an article about fakes in Venice.....

ROME — Italy's financial police seized on Friday more than 11 million glass objects that were being sold in stores in Venice as artisanally-blown Murano glass, even though most of them were made in China.

There is also a book called Murano Magic that list all the signatures and the companies that the artist worked for.

Be careful of people writing about how to avoid fakes.  Unless you know the vender and have faith in them beware.

Here at Lewis Trimble we like to help educate the buying public....Buy with great care.

Milo Baughman 20th century Designer

Milo Baughman Sofa

Lewis  found a pair of Milo Baughman Chairs.  He went yesterday to pick up the chairs that he had found.  While he was in the area he decided to do a little exploring.  He went to a stop where he had luck finding things in the past and walked up to a Milo Baughman sofa of a different style but of the same period.  It has been months if not a year or so since he had found any good Baughman pieces.  Finding a pair of chairs and a great sofa at the same time within  miles of each other was unbelievable.  He was so excited.  Both are going to need to be reupholstered, but oh so worth it.  Swing on by to Lewis Trimble Decorative Arts and Antiques to check them out.

A Pair of Chairs by Milo Baughman

So here is an up date on Milo Baughman, 1923-2003. He helped to define and shape the positive benefits of good design on the lives of human beings.  He started designing in the mid 1940's with a number of furniture companies.  In 1953 he started designing for the Thayer Coggin Inc., of High Point, NC, he continued to design for them until his death in 2003.

Credenza by Milo Baughman

Born in Kansas he moved with his family to California while he was still a baby.  When he was thirteen, his family decided to build their home and the young Milo Baughman did the designing of both the exterior and interior of their new home.  After serving during World War II in the military where he help design officers clubs, he began his studies at what would become know as the California Institute of the Arts.

Semi Circul,ar Sofa by Baughman

 His designs were unpretentious and affordable as well as forward-thinking.  Even today his designs continue to be copied and reinvented by various furniture companies.  He believed in the positive benefits of good design on human lives.  In 1947 he established Milo Baughman Design Inc.  From that point he began designing modernist furniture for several companies.  His relationship began with a hand shake with the newly organized Thayer Coggin Company.  By the time the 1960's and 1970's came around their designs were anticpated at every High Point Market.  Some of his most iconic designs were produced by the Thayer Coggin Company.  He also designed for Drexel, and  Henredon among others.

 He became a Mormon in 1965.  He was enthusiastic about his new found Christain faith, and was invited to establish a Department of Environmental Design at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  He acted as chairman and adjunct professor for six years while continuing with his design business.  After that he moved to Virginia for Twelve years.  Back to Utah for another nine years of teaching at B.Y. University. He lectured widely on design in various institutions of learning. and continued operating his design studio until his death.

Station ID

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