Posted 8 years ago
pipmonck
(4 items)
Rare Murano Glass Figurine by G Toffolo of Murano
this beautiful piece stands 15 inches tall, (330mm), and has graced our parents shelves for over 40 years.
we are looking for information on who G Toffolo actually was and how many of these figures he made, we have three now and cant find any information on their origin or what they are described as
any information gratefully received.
Thanks
i have never seen this!!!!
Well we have three you can look at...
lol
P
Google search: toffolo glass figurines - happy reading. If there's not enough information there, just google search toffolo glass.
Don't know why you could not find this information? You had all the information you needed.
Gillian - thanks but we've done that! All we get are Ebay listings of other G Toffolo figures - none of which match the ones we have. We'd like to know more about the history of the ones we have.
Are all three the same?
Nice figurine-- I have several myself.
How did you ID to Toffolo?
scott
Scott: All 3 figures have G Toffolo etched on the bottom.
Gillian: No, all 3 are different
Can you add a photo of the signature to your posting?
scott
After a lot of research, it seems these figurines were never given "names". They would be called Lady Courtesan, or Male Flamenco Dancer etc. The same figurines were made in different colours. Circa 1960-1970. I don't really think there is any further history, there are no model numbers. His output is prolific. You can probably do more research on Mr. Toffolo himself.
Well, since each is hand made, no two would be exactly alike.
Love your wallpaper, by the way!
Try emailing Gianni at Murano. Send photos.
http://www.muranonet.com/contact
Gianni (Expertise)
info@muranonet.com
pipmonck, when you do a google search, look at the image results, not the text and/or page results.
I love this style of Murano figurines pipmonck... The artists name is Franco Giancarlo Toffolo. I searched all of my Murano reference books but could find nothing. As Gillian said, these are referred to as courtesan figurines, and at times (mistakenly) harlequin. Throughout the years I've owned several pairs of his courtesan pieces as well a female flamenco dancer (which is still in my collection). Here is some information I was able to find online:
His interest in glass art started when he was 9 years old, whilst working with his father, Giancomo, a top Glass Master in Murano. He was a gold medal winner at the Technical School in Murano and worked for over 40 years with Venetian glass in Murano. Franco Toffolo also worked for the Venini glass company, Murano from 1946 to 1950. He signed his creations G.Toffolo up until 1981, when he joined Caithness Glass , Scotland, as a Senior Glass Maestro, working on special commissions and exhibition pieces. Since then he has signed his work Franco Toffolo. Commissioned work recipients include: President Ronald Reagen, Sir Michael Heseltine, and Royalty. Franco Toffolo’s work is exhibited world wide. There are also permanent exhibitions in the UK :- “Standing Horse” The Glasgow Museum. “Reliquary” Broadfield House Glass Museum. Replica of the “Pitfirrane Goblet” Abbot House Heritage Centre. Glass Master John Ditchfield learned his skills during a seven year apprenticeship with Franco Toffolo.
http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/cms/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=26&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=51
Beautiful figures Pipmonck. Do they glow?
Great info Rick.
So are these Toffolo pieces English or Italian ???
i am not that skilled enough but it is signed g toffoli and not franco toffolo, i am just , i think its before 1980 and after 1960 , i am not expert in this signed g toffole WHITE FACE is always goog enough , i think the real old are brown with scallop pedastal , don,t rub it in , because i am busy for hours , this time i have a real excuse and i want to play poker and i am too lazy
Italian.
Franco made figures like these at his glass works named "Venetian Glass Company", that he set up in Blackpool, England, which was in operation from 1965 until he joined Caithness in the 80's. Here is one of his figures with a VGC label and also signed "G. Toffolo":
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/franco-toffolo-murano-glass-amber-422860020
So these could definitely be English made. What I would really like to know, is where did Franco work between leaving Venini in 1950 and setting up VGC in England in 1965? Did he work at another Murano factory, or maybe have his own factory in Murano, making these figures and other items?