Ars Cenedese Murano Glass lamps
09 November 2019
Description

Pair of vintage/ antique urn style opaline murano glass lamps with hand painted real gold banding. With original stickers stating 2/123 and I’m assuming the mate is 1/123 but the sticker is worn off. They’re approx 24”-30”h 9”-12”w at widest part. I’ve contacted Ars Cenedese in Italy and they confirmed the lamps as being produced by them between 1946-late 1950s. I’m currently having them rewired with antique gold braided cording and the gilding repainted by an artist in Dallas. Ars Cenedese is the same murano glass company that produces glass wear and chandeliers for Buckingham Palace!

Provenance

I’m not certain however, like I stated, they have been confirmed by Ars Cenedese in Venice as part of their early/ original production.

Acquired from
Other
For sale
Maybe
Answered within 1 day
By Delia
Nov 10, 16:15 UTC
Fair Market Value
$250 - $350 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Good morning, Amanda,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
I have searched LiveAuctioneers and can find no examples of other Ars Cenedese Murano lamps selling at auction (you can see for yourself at this link: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/search/?keyword=murano%20ars%20cenedese&page=2&pageSize=24&sort=-relevance&status=archive)

A similar search focused more broadly on Murano lamps of comparable size and form (but by different makers) has revealed the following recent auction sales, upon which I have based my valuation:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/76318559_pr-murano-italian-art-glass-table-lamps-peppermi - $350
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/76190023_large-murano-art-glass-table-lamp-white-with-bubble - $300
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/74812735_venini-and-c-murano-floor-lamp-c-1960 (did not sell)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/72663470_lg-italian-murano-opaline-glass-neoclassical-lamp - $50

Based on the photographs and information provided, and subject to examination, you have"
A Pair of Murano Ars Cenedese Vasiform Opaline Lamps
Made in Italy, circa late 1940s-late 1950s
with hand applied gilding; one retains original label marked "2/123"
Vases 24 inches high; 30 inches to top of socket fitting.
CONDITION: will be rewired and gilding touched up
$250-350 (represents a fair market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary).

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you for using Mearto.

Amanda hansen Nov 10, 16:24 UTC

Did you check any other sites such as 1st dibs, Chairish, Decaso? I could’ve checked LiveAuctioneers on my own. I was expecting a professional appraisal by someone with actual knowledge of Murano glass. I’m not happy with my results.

Delia Nov 10, 20:17 UTC

Can you specify what you are not happy with? The research or the low values?

1stDibs, Chairish and Decaso are all RETAIL sites; Mearto's values are for auction / fair market value.
I have handled Murano glass extensively in nearly 25 years working with antiques. The current auction market does not value it as it once did. Without evidence (Invaluable requires a subscription to access their prices, which many clients do not have access to) of recent auction sales, clients are often skeptical of values so I like to provide clear evidence (in the way of recent sales) to support my values.
I am happy to provide you with other prices but they will be auction and not retail; please advise so I can complete this appraisal to your greater satisfaction.

Amanda hansen Nov 10, 21:55 UTC

How can you possibly appraise the value of something by one auction site? If you look up vintage murano lamps they value anywhere from $600-$8k. This particular pair comes from one of the most premier glass houses in Murano. They’re also a soft pink opaline which is in high demand for today’s interior design market. I’ve already spoken with an antiques dealer here in Dallas which estimated between $2800 and $3800. I’m just shocked that I paid $20 for you to give me 3 links to LiveAuctioneers....

Delia Nov 11, 12:31 UTC

Amanda,
We do not have access to retail prices, nor to what dealers are willing to pay (and was that a hard offer or just an estimate?). Neither Christie's nor Sotheby's - which could reasonably be expected to handle something of this caliber and purported value - have a record of selling any Murano Cenedese opaline glass works. I've done a quick check of Invaluable and Bidsquare and have found a few more sales of Murano Cenedese, though I would not characterize any of them as being particularly 'comparable' to your lamps.
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/cenedese-murano-opaline-glass-vase-8b348c2918
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/vase-opaline-chinese-gino-cenedese-murano-19c909699b
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/murano-cenedese-vetri-3fd4836b70

I would be willing to raise my valuation slightly - to $500-800 - but do not think it is advisable to raise it to $2,800-3,800. Kindly advise next steps.

Do you have a similar item and want to know how much it’s worth?

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