Walter Furlan Winged Lion of St. Mark
This example seems to be earlier than the ones he is making now. many differences like the opposite paw is on the book. It is signed Furlan Walter much larger than any others I come across. I did just win this on a eBay auction for some reason only one other person bid no one saw it I guess because I basically stole it in my eyes. Wondering if this may have been when he was working at Seguso Vetri d'Arte? No damage
Measures 10" high on stand, 9" on its own, 13" long and 7" wide 18 Lbs.
Online Auction
Yes
Hi Brad,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
Walter Furlan (Italian, b 1931)
Murano glass Majestic Winged Lion of St. Mark
clear and gold-flecked glass
9 inches tall; 10 inches tall on black base; 13 inches long, 7 inches wide
the base signed "Furlan Walter"
CONDITION: This lion appears to be in good condition; value assumes no chips, breaks, repairs or losses.
PROVENANCE: Acquired on eBay
$ 800-1,200*
*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, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
HI Brad,
I never use eBay for reference - sellers are not qualified appraisers - and didn't see or use the link to what you purchased this from. Instead, I referred to recent auction sales of comparable Winged Lions - some by unattributed artists or by ones other than Furlan because one of his Winged Lions has not sold at auction recently. My comparables for the purpose of this appraisal include:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/murano-hand-blown-glass-venetian-lion-3914978504 ($460)
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/murano-lion-san-marco-saint-mark-4641979760 ($540)
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/pino-signoretto-murano-glass-lion-4582602664 ($540)
I appraised yours for $800-1,200 because it was made by Furlan.
As far as recent sales of Furlan's work, collectors are paying more for his colorful abstracted (one might call them 'Cubist' constructions) - the current world auction record for one of Furlan's pieces is about $10,000, for a Picasso-style multicolored head of a woman, in a Tokyo auction in 2017 (https://www.askart.com/auction_records/Walter_Furlan/11183782/Walter_Furlan.aspx?lot=4541501).
These prices, of course, are all fair-market and not the higher retail prices that sellers on platforms like 1stdibs.com.
Of course, it's certainly possible that I overlooked a comparable that would have warranted putting a higher value on your piece. If you've seen one of his Winged Lions coming to auction in the past 5 years and can provide a link, I'm more than happy to reconsider my value.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience,
~ Delia
Unfortunately, you provided me with the same information that I had already shared about the lion, including the estimate you obtained from eBay. I had specifically mentioned that I had already done that work and wanted to avoid duplication. However, you repeated the same information. Additionally, I want to know where or when the lion was made, as this is important for determining its value. It's worth noting that I can purchase a smaller, brand-new loin by the same artist for $1,200, but it is significantly smaller and lacks some details and most likely a different furnace. I told you I got it from Ebay and you used that info.