The paperweights on this page are all the work of the Gentile Family.  The original glass worker in the family was Peter Gentile, born in Naples, Italy in 1884.  He worked in Naples (Italy), Rochester (Pennsylvania), and Morgantown (West Virginia) before building his own factory in Star City (West Virginia) in 1947.

His sons, Frankie, John and Joe Gentile helped him make paperweights in the off hours at the Guild Factory in Morgantown.   However, most paperweight production since WWII has been associated with Peter, John, or John's wife Gertrude Gentile.  Few weights were signed prior to 1963.  It is believed that Gentile Glass remained in production until 2006.  Most, if not all, paperweights produced from 1975 on were signed.

For more information, you can read about the Gentiles in the book  American Glass Paperweights and Their Makers by Jean Melvin (1967 and 1970).   For some great references on paperweights, check out my list of paperweight books for sale.

If you would like to purchase any of these paperweights, e-mail me at: aport@paperweights.com
 

68	Unsigned Gentile Swirl Paperweight made from Sandwich Glass fragments.   circa 1970.  When the site of the former Boston and Sandwich Glass Company was excavated, glass fragments were offered to glass workers to be used in creating contemporary pieces.  A special label was printed for this use.  Some of the labels identify the glass workers, while others do not.  Large Size:  3 3/8" diameter by 3" high.  Excellent condition with no chips or cracks.  Although unsigned, I am confident that this was made by Gentile Glass. $85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the pictures to see a larger image
204	Super Magnum Gentile Calla Lily Dooorstop Paperweight, attributed to Gertrude Gentile.   circa 1970.  Very large paperweight featuring three blue calla lilly type icepick flowers over a white ground.  There is a large elongated central bubble in the center of each flower and also between each flower.  When a paperweight is this large it is generally called a doorstop.  A truly magnificent paperweight.  This style has been attributed to Gertrude Gentile.  A similar example is shown in the book American Glass Paperweights and Their Makers by Jean Melvin (1970). This style of flower is called an ice-pick flower because of the ice-pick like tool used to form each flower and push the glass down to the ground to form a stem. Very Large Size: 4 1/4" diameter by 5" high.  Signature:  Unsigned, but I am confident that this was made by Gentile Glass and most likely by Gertrude Gentile.  Condition: Very good condition with no chips or cracks.  There are a few minor surface blemishes.  Execution:  Perfect execution. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight Top view $175 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the pictures to see a larger image
2387	Signed Gentile Swirl Paperweight.   c.1979.  This design was first developed by Peter Gentile in the 1940s and was continued in the Gentile family product line in subsequent years.  This is an especially nice example with a three color swirl made from six rods of green, white, and pink.  In the center is a controlled bubble pattern and there is a carefully placed bubble on top.  Large Size:  2 7/8" diameter by 3 1/4" high.  Excellent condition with no chips or cracks.  Signed with a hot stamped signature on the bottom "GENTILE GLASS W.VA." with a Star and a C in the center (Star City).  circa 1979.     SOLD.  Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the pictures to see a larger image
2545	Signed John Gentile JFK Paperweight. c.1963.   This is a relatively rare plaque weight by John Gentile.  The picture is printed on an enamel plaque and placed over a red, white, and blue frit ground.  It is signed 1963 JG on the bottom of the plaque and there is an opening in the ground so the signature can be viewed from the bottom as well as from the side.  This weight is mentioned (but not pictured)  in the 1967 edition (page 66) and 1970 edition (page 74) of the Melvin book. Large Size:  3 1/4" diameter by just under 2 3/4" high.  Signed 1963 JG.  Excellent condition with no chips or cracks.  $85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the pictures to see a larger image
215	Signed John Gentile Butterfly Paperweight. c.1964.   This is a rare millefiori butterfly weight with a clear ground.  Most butterfly designs were done in frit (ground glass), but this one was done a frit body and millefiori wings.  These weights were set up in a metal die with the butterfly design.  This is a patent design originally patented by John J. Funfrock in 1948.  Both the weight and the die used are described in the Melvin book. The picture is darker than the actual weight.  If you look at the linked larger picture, I  try to show a close-up of the frit signature "JG" which visible from the bottom right between the body and antennae.  Large Size:  3 1/2" diameter by 2" high.  Signed in frit "JG".  Excellent condition with no chips or cracks.  SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the pictures to see a larger image
2193	Gentile Flying Goose Paperweight. c.1976.   This is one of trademark paperweights of the Gentile family.  It is shown and described in the Jean Melvin mentioned above.  The design was patented by John Funfrock of Morgantown, West Virginia in 1948 and first made by Peter Gentile.  However, this weight is more modern and was made in 1976.  Additional note:  For those who are looking for the Funfrock patent, you should look up Patent D149117 issued to John Funfrock on March 30, 1948.  Large Size:  Just under 3 1/4" diameter by 3 1/16" high.  Hot stamped  with the Gentile 1976 bicentennial signature of a Liberty Bell with a G and 1976.  Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the pictures to see a larger image

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Revised 6/11/2011