Q & A

P.M. of Novar, Ontario writes:

I went to a yard sale several months ago and this lady was selling her grandmother’s items since she had passed away. The lady told me that this was one of her prized possessions but that she couldn't keep anything because she lived in such a small apartment.

I LOVE glass and when I saw this lamp I fell head over heels. Didn't care what it cost: just had to have it. In the end it came home with me for $20.00 CND.

I didn't see the label and had no idea what Murano was until I did see the label and started searching the Internet.

Thing is, I have NEVER seen anything even close to this. So, if you would...if you could PLEASE help me with any information I would really appreciate it.

By the way...there are no knicks, scratches or damage of any kind on the lamp.

Aren't the colours wonderful!

We asked Andrew Zegers to respond:

The Murano lamp dates from the 1980's or 1990's and is a copy of a much earlier technique. The modern name used to refer to it is "candy cane swirl". With the labels intact dating is easy, cellophane clear labels replaced paper and paper-foil in the late seventies. It is common to refer to all Italian glass as Murano; this is actually an island off the coast where all glass production was moved to after the burning of Venice. The best pieces were designed by architects employed by a handful of companies.

The lamp is not uncommon and retail at a modernism or design show it would go for about $300 US ($400 CDN).