Vetreria Barbieri (V.B. Opaline Florence) Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
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The glassware items in this section are often found with labels that read "V.B. Opaline Florence, Made in Italy". The initials VB are now thought to stand for Vetreria Barbieri, a factory in or close to the town of Empoli, Italy, that produced glassware during the 1970's and early 1980's. "Opaline Florence" refers to the type of glass (opaline glass made in Florence). The style of label most commonly found on Vetreria Barbieri glass, was also used by other factories from the same area, as the labels were produced by the same label printing company, using the same template and changing the initials of the factory. Some Vetreria Barbieri items have very similar labels that read "Hand, AV, Made in Italy". The initials AV do not match any known factories from this area, and the same label can be found on glass from other Empoli factories, so it is thought that this label belongs to an exporter or retailer, that also used the same printing company. This information about labels and factory initials comes from the facebook group Murano Glass/Italian Art Glass, Empoli, for GLGD, in particular a very helpful lady, whose family has been involved in Empoli glass production since the 1950's. Identification is made using labelled examples, as well as matching patterns and known shapes.
Update: A recent post in a Murano Facebook group of a 1970's catalogue from the Vetreria Artistica Sanminiatello (V.A.S.) factory, has revealed that Vetreria Barbieri was not the only Empoli factory that made marbled designs such as the ones shown below. We will soon update this page with a close study of patterns and shapes, to hopefully discover the differences.
The marbled pattern in particular, is often wrongly identified as Carlo Moretti, a Murano factory (also Italian) that made glassware in a similar pattern. However, when comparing the different styles, it should become clear which factory they originate from.
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Vetreria Barbieri Labels & Marks
"V.B. Opaline Florence, Made in Italy" red, black & gold foil label, used by the Vetreria Barbieri factory.
"V.B. Opaline Florence, Made in Italy" red, blue and silver foil label, used by the Vetreria Barbieri factory.
Identification by Mould Shape
Matching labelled designs with the same shapes in other patterns can help to identify other pattern ranges where labelled examples may have not yet been found.
A brown and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri, labelled.
An orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri. Label reads "VB Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A brown, black and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A yellow, black and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri. Label reads "VB Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A brown and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A brown marbled glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy.
A green and black speckled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A brown, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A blue cased glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy. Label reads "VB Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
An orange, green and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
Identification by Patterns
Orange bands with white background, and blue shading:
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri, labelled. Label reads "Hand, AV, made in Italy". Thought to be an export or retailer label.
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
Pale orange bands with white background, and turquoise shading:
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A blue, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
Orange bands with white background, and grey / black shading:
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
Dark brown bands with white background, no shading:
A brown, black and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A brown and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri. Same shape with label here.
Grey / black bands with red background, no shading:
A red, black and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri, labelled "V.B. Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A red, black and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A red, black and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
Brown, orange and green layers on white background, no shading:
An orange, green and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
An orange, green and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
An orange, green and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
Other Patterns & Shapes
A brown and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri, labelled "V.B. Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A grey cased glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri. Label reads "VB Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A black, orange and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
A green, brown and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
An orange and white glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri, labelled "V.B. Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A blue and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy. Label reads "VB Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A red, black and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence jug / pitcher, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri. Label reads "VB Opaline Florence, Made in Italy".
A green, brown and white marbled glass VB Opaline Florence vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy, by Vetreria Barbieri.
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