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How do I Tell If a Glass Bird With Murano Sticker Is Real or Fake?

Murano glass originated on the island of Murano off the Venice coast and showed influence of Roman, Asian and Venetian styles over time. While Murano glass has been produced for centuries, modern Murano glass typically refers to glass items produced in the mid-1900s by Murano glassmakers including Paulsy, Veninin, Simone Cenedese, Seguso and Barovier &Toso. While many items may be marked Murano Glass or have a sticker that claims the item is Murano glass, there are a few ways to determine if the item is authentic Murano glass or a replica, including items like a small glass bird.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the sticker closely. Newer Murano pieces should have a holograph on the sticker with a number. This number identifies the furnace the piece was made from in Murano and is a strong indication that the glass bird or other item is authentic Murano glass item.
- 2
  Look to see if the sticker says "Made in Murano, Italy" and is made from gold foil. This has been the traditional Murano sticker placed on authentic items. If the item has a sticker that is worded differently, it likely not authentic Murano glass. If the sticker is made from a material other than gold foil, it is also likely not authentic.
- 3
  Verify the seller. If a seller has only one or two Murano pieces, including the small glass bird in question, they are more likely to be authentic Murano items. Sellers who have large amounts of Murano glass are probably selling replicas. Each Murano piece is unique, so if a seller has several identical items, they are not authentic Murano glass.
- 4
  Examine the glass bird or other glass item closely. Authentic Murano glass items will not have flea bites or nicks unless the item has been previously damaged, in which case the worth is significantly diminished and the authenticity is in question.
- 5
  Request a certificate of authenticity from the seller. Authentic Murano items will have a certificate of authenticity with information about the artist and the date of production. A certificate of authenticity is one of the strongest indications that the item is truly Murano glass.

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