Fratelli Toso Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
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Fratelli Toso was created in 1854 by six brothers - Angelo Toso, Giovanni Toso, Ferdinando Toso, Carlo Toso, Gregorio Toso and Liberato Toso. They were joined by Ermanno Toso in 1924 who became artistic director. The Fratelli Toso company is well known for its use of colourful murrines and millefiori during the 1950's and earlier.
Sources: 20th Century Factory Glass by Lesley Jackson.
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Millefiori
Originally described as "murrine mosaic", more commonly known these days as "millefiori" ("thousand flowers"), this range from Fratelli Toso consists of many different colourful flower shaped murrine canes arranged into various shapes including vases, bowls and jugs, often miniature in size. Most have a frosted / satin finish, although some with a glossy / shiny finish can also be found. Production began in the early 1900's and continued for many years. Pages from a 1921 Fratelli Toso catalogue, featuring this range, have been shared in a Facebook group [here]. Other catalogue pages are shown in the book "Fratelli Toso Murano 1902-1980" by Marc Heiremans. A selection of murrine canes known to be used by Fratelli Toso was published in the book "Fratelli Toso Italian Glass 1854-1980" by Leslie Pina. Similar items have been made by other Murano factories, including AVEM and Galliano Ferro.
Vases - Two Handles
A Murano multicoloured glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handles and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano multicoloured glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handles and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano blue & white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handles and glossy finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano yellow, blue and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handles and glossy finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano blue, red and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano green, yellow and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano pink, yellow, blue and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with glossy finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
Ref: Murrine canes shown in FT book by Pina, page 32.
A Murano blue, red and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handles and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano green and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handles and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano multicoloured glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handles and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano blue, yellow and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handles and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
Ref: Shape shown in FT book by Pina, page 33.
Vases - One Handle
A Murano green, blue, pink and white glass "millefiori" creamer jug with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano multicoloured glass "millefiori" miniature vase with applied handle and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
Vases - No Handles
A Murano green, purple, yellow and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano green, blue, yellow and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano blue and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano multicoloured glass "millefiori" miniature vase with glossy finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano purple, blue and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano blue, red and white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano pink & white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
Ref: Murrine canes shown in FT book by Pina, page 32.
A Murano purple, blue & white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano purple, green & white glass "millefiori" miniature vase with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
Jugs / Creamers
A Murano blue and white glass "millefiori" creamer jug with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano blue, green and white glass "millefiori" creamer jug with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano blue, brown and white glass "millefiori" creamer jug with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano green, purple and white glass "millefiori" creamer jug with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano pink, yellow and white glass "millefiori" creamer jug with frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano multicoloured glass "millefiori" miniature jug with applied handle. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano multicoloured glass "millefiori" miniature jug with applied handle and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
A Murano multicoloured glass "millefiori" jug with applied handle and glossy finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
Paperweights
A clear glass paperweight filled with multicoloured millefiori canes. Made by Fratelli Toso, labelled.
A clear glass paperweight filled with multicoloured millefiori canes. Made by Fratelli Toso, labelled.
A clear glass paperweight filled with multicoloured millefiori canes and copper aventurine. Made by Fratelli Toso.
Bowls & Other Items
A Murano blue, yellow and white glass "millefiori" miniature teacup shaped bowl with applied handle and frosted / satin finish. Made by Fratelli Toso.
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Reference Websites
For more information on Fratelli Toso glass, check out the following resources: