Chalet and Modern “Vintage Inspired” Chinese Reproductions

Alex Wicks brought to our attention in 2020 that he had noticed a proliferation of vintage looking pieces that were of Chines origin back in the mid 2000’s. This has just snowballed – where there once seemed to be only a few manufacturers – now, they seem endless. And with this explosion, members of the glass community are posting more and more queries about these reproductions. Since Alex and I have been “growing the files, we feel the timing is right for an update concerning these modern but “vintage inspired” looking lines. As this article can only touch on a few of these lines and forms, it will concentrate on the most seemingly widespread and within those, a sampling of the pieces that are the most commonly asked about in 50 Shades and/or the most relevant in form and colour.

 Many present day Chinese art glass manufacturers and distributors are using Murano glass making techniques – sommerso, bullicante and heavier glass with significant numbers having less rounded edges and/or smooth, flat polished bases instead of dull, frosted concave ones. Moreover, numerous lines of reproductions are purposefully made to look very vintage – in shape, design details and colours. And their naming’s and markings can also be deliberately chosen to confuse or deceive.

 The term “ Arte Murano” properly refers to art from the Murano region of Italy, specifically Venetian glass. Labels identifying genuine Murano glass unequivocally state “Made” in Murano and Italy. Often with the date, the artist’s or glass house name included as well.

Genuine Murano marking. Vintage paper Venini label on left and modern plastic Venini label on left. Note that despite the passage of years and the ensuing design and material differences, the later label remains consistent with the older in its statement of artist, place, and country of origin. An excellent reference for investigating genuine Murano glass, artists and glasshouses is the 20th Century Glass Web site.

Many of these reproduction lines are sold at Winners and Home Sense in Canada as well as carried by their sister stores T.J. Max and Marshalls in the United States. Most likely they were and are also carried by many other retailers. This seemed to have started approximately fifteen years ago. Now early versions have migrated in abundance to thrift stores and flea markets and are listed online as vintage in profusion. As well, Chinese reproductions continue to flood the present-day retail home décor market.

 With regard to online listings and “out in the Wild” sightings, not only is their age of manufacture usually wrong, their place of origin is also usually misidentified. Very seldom are these reproductions described as “modern Chinese art glass.” No, they are almost without exception listed as “vintage Murano” or frequently as “vintage Chalet” art glass. And the pricing is high on these pieces! Reproductions are not limited to any one shape, solid tone, or colour combination. We have been fortunate to find quite a few with their original labels so this has given us a good starting point with regard to proper identification.  Some “impersonators.”

 “Arte Murano. Designed in Italy”:

A very modern clear plastic label. However, the use of the term “Arte Murano” is very disingenuous. Note that the wording “Designed in Italy” is the definitive “tell” that this is not a genuine piece of Murano glass from a true Venetian glasshouse.  

Centerpiece on which this label was found.

Below is a very good illustration of how easily these reproductions are found. Two of the same form, in the same colour combination and both retaining a label. The piece on the rightwas found in the “Wild” by 50 Shades member Cathy Antonyshyn while an online seller in Kalamazoo, Michigan has listed the piece on the left

Following are more examples of “tricky” labelling. The pieces on the left and in the middle were listed online as “Chalet.” The vase on the right was also listed online but as “vintage Murano.”

Tow additional examples of erroneous listings - both sellers claiming these to be “Chalet.”

Another Chinese made reproduction line is the “Artist’s Studio Hand Made.” It is found with a small, round clear plastic sticker as well as with a “Made in China” country of origin label.

Found in a thrift store by Alex Wicks.

The following are photographs of modern reproduction pieces of likely Chinese origin. And, again, likely from one of the two lines shown above. To date, we do not know if these are manufactured by the same company or distributed by the same wholesaler.

Photographs of vases in top and lower middle courtesy of 50 Shades member Alex Wicks. As well as the images of the vases at the top outer left and right.

Photograph of vase at top left courtesy of 50 Shades member Alex Wicks. Photographs of vase in middle courtesy of 50 Shades member Anna Giacobbe

Photographs of pieces at right and left courtesy of 50 Shades member Dominique Dillon. Centre piece photographs courtesy of Charlotte Crawford.

Photographs of piece in middle courtesy of 50 Shades member Dominique Dillon. Photographs of piece at left courtesy of Jocelyn Aryn-Zap.

Photographs of vase in top and lower middle courtesy of 50 Shades member Pam Chastain Hull. Images of red vase at right from Alex Wicks.

A departure in style from the “vintage inspired” art glass pieces as shown above but another example in this line and more evidence of its modernity.

This piece below retains only its generic “Made in China” country of origin label. However, based on styling and base, it is a logical assumption that it came from one of the lines above.

Consistent design characteristics that can be used to identify these reproductions:

: almost without exception, the pieces have very noticeable bases – the 4, 6 or 8 “elephant toed” feet are especially not subtle.  

: elevated, footed bases are very common

: bases have a shallow indent which can be either polished smooth or be rough textured.

: very unfinished between the “elephant toes”

: strikingly coloured. Both in vibrant solids and distinctive 2-tones.

: common design features are “fingers”  and “wings.”

: “forato” designs are also common.

Image courtesy of “50 Shader” Kevin Kodak.

Paired with some vintage pieces that could easily have been the “inspiration”:

Photograph of vase in lower middle courtesy of Alex Wicks.

Photograph of vase at lower right courtesy of Alex Wicks.

Photographs of piece at left courtesy of 50 Shades member Tetyana Tkachenko. Photographs of piece at right courtesy of Jocelyn Aryn-Zap.

More examples of Chinese reproduction lines with design and markings deliberately trying to confuse with Italian glass:

 The “Ann Primrose Cristalleria Collection” is not Murano made glass. It is mass produced in China. And remember, Murano glass is not crystal.

Note the deceptively “vintage” looking label on a classic vintage Murano style. And the aping of the use of an “artist’s” name as well as “Murano”.

Both the basket shown above and this vase were listed as “vintage Murano” online with very high price points.

Various versions of the following sticker are seen very frequently on many different pieces. Translation of  “Vetro Eseguito Secondo La Tecnica Dei Maestri Di Murano” is:

 “Glass was made according to the technique of the Masters of Murano.” So, in actuality, no piece bearing this sticker was made by true Murano Maestri. They are reproductions.

And lastly, just a very few more of commonly seen labels on the never-ending lines of reproduction Murano:

Photographs on the upper and lower left are on a vase currently (August, 2023) being sold in chain retail home décor stores. Courtesy of 50 Shades member Cathy Antonyshyn.

Although this article concentrated on Italian and Canadian look-alikes, please note that Chinese reproductions are not limited to the mimicry of Italian glass – you will see many Chinese reproductions of Czech glass, Swedish, French…. In fact, the “Jack-in-the-Pulpit” vase on the right in the banner photograph for this article is a mid-century Czech vase. Which obviously leaves the bright lime green vase as the Chinese reproduction. This update has mainly presented vases and centerpieces. However, the forms that are being reproduced by the Chinese and others include perfume bottles, animal figurines, paperweights, bowls, platters, lamps… In short, anything and everything. We are not suggesting that Chinese art glass has no value or beauty. On the contrary, if something moves you, buy it. Our point is, as the old saying goes, “Don’t buy a pig in a poke.” If you are looking for pieces from a specific maker, vintage over modern or hand worked over mass produced, do your due diligence and research. And, do not forget, Chinese reproductions are nothing new – refer to the earlier article Chalet and Vintage Chinese Reproductions for details on older Chinese lines.