Paperweights - Gentile Paperweights for Sale

Allan's Paperweights

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Gentile Paperweights for Sale

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.

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.   c.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.

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.

662 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 2 1/2" high. Signed 1963 JG. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks.   Sold
Click on the picture 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.

1250 Gentile Flying Goose Paperweight. c.1979.   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 in 1948 and first made by Peter Gentile. However, this weight is more modern and is post 1975.
Large Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 3 1/4" high. Hot stamped "GENTILE GLASS W.VA." with a star and a C on the bottom. Very good condition with no chips or cracks. Minor scuffing on the side. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

68	Unsigned Gentile Swirl Paperweight made from Sandwich Glass fragments. c.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.
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.
662	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 2 1/2" high. Signed 1963 JG. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. Sold Click on the picture 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.
1250	Gentile Flying Goose Paperweight. c.1979. 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 in 1948 and first made by Peter Gentile. However, this weight is more modern and is post 1975. Large Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 3 1/4" high. Hot stamped "GENTILE GLASS W.VA." with a star and a C on the bottom. Very good condition with no chips or cracks. Minor scuffing on the side. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.

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Revised 12/4/2007