bell (n). A hollow musical instrument, usually cup-shaped with a flared opening,
that emits a ringing tone or resonance when struck.
Virginia and Tony started making bells in 2001. After having a discussion with a bell collector, and asking him what he would imagine the perfect glass bell to be like, she went on to produce several filigree glass bells with glass bridges. Bells made entirely of glass, just as the collector described. Less than 10 bells were made with glass bridge and clappers, these were the very first of the collector bell series, making them extremely scarce and expensive to produce due to the time consuming process of using a glass bridge to hold the clapper. All of these bells have since sold and now reside in private collections. The second generation of bells were assembled using sterling silver chain and caps to secure the clappers. All of these aforementioned bells were engraved and signed personally by the artist. All bells are made by first selecting the best and most uniform, consistent, patterned canes. Then they are blended with complimentary glass canes and oriented to exhibit a precise pattern in the body of any individual piece. Color flags in the ribbon cane as well as oval shapes in the zanfirico cane are usually horizontally aligned to display a consistent color flash to achieve an exact pattern. With proper control and timing a subtle ruffle is produced by guiding heat and the laws of physics. This step is nurtured in the final moments of creation making no two bells alike. The bell handles are made separately and carefully matched to their respective bell bodies.
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Damascus glass is a combination of one or more colors of glass canes manipulated and folded many times over to
display a distinct pattern on the surface of the glass. Every piece produced is unique, the patterns may be similar but
never identical. The term Damascus generally refers to a type of steel identifying a process of folding and hammering the
material that is used in the making of swords and knives. This patterned metal has been in existence for over 2000 years
and originated in the Middle East. In Medieval times metal smiths forged Damascus swords and knives with great skill.
These items were greatly admired for their beauty, their owners also believed the strange whorls and ripples lent them to
have mystical powers. Today Virginia and Tony bring you Damascus glass with this fascinating ripple like pattern of unique
beauty to grace and charm your home or collection.
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White Damascus Bell Size: (W) 4 1/8", (H) 7 7/8" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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Swirling white canes create the pattern on this bell. It has a folded lip matching glass cane on the handle.
in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
Satin Swirl Bell with Airtwist Handle Size: (W) 4 3/8", (H) 9 1/4" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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Gently swirling brown canes and a folded lip decorate the cobalt satin finish body of this bell. The elongated handle contains an air twist.
The stem of the clapper is clear with a cobalt ball held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
Filigree glass was invented in Murano by glass masters Filippo and Bernardo Serena in 1527, an elaborate process that was indeed
difficult to perform. It would be 10 years before other glassmakers on the Island of Murano would reproduce , copy or imitate this
technique and hundreds of years before this secret would be revealed to the rest of the world. Filigree Glass, unlike conventional
blown glass, was suitable for only the uppermost tables of society as it was not common. This elaborate form of Filigrana Glass
is responsible for the fame of Murano style glass today. Currently, with new design innovations and increasing levels of workmanship,
the patterns able to be embedded in filigree glass appear to be limitless. Bringing much appreciation and joy to collectors of the
beloved Filigree Glass technique.
Black Filigree Bell with Flat Handle Size: (W) 3 1/8", (H) 5.25" Signed: V. Wilson Toccalino
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This Black Filigree Bell displays Zanfirico canes alternating with multi colored ribbon canes. The handle has a matching ribbon cane swirling gently down and around it. The clapper is a latticino stem with a ribbon ball held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
White Filigree Bell with Ring Handle Size: (W) 3.75", (H) 6.25" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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This Filigree Bell displays Zanfirico canes alternating with Latticino canes. This bell has a folded lip. The handle is
made from a matching Zanfirico ring. The white canes are a traditional favorite as all the lines have a sharp edge
making this piece very distinctive. The clapper stem is a matching white latticino rod with a swirling white zanfirico
ball held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
Purple and Green Ribbon Glass Bell Size: (W) 3.75", (H) 6 1/8" Signed: V. Wilson Toccalino
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This Filigree Bell displays precise colorful Ribbon canes alternating with Latticino canes. This bell has a black lip wrap. The handle is made from a matching Latticino cane ring. The clapper stem is the purple and green ribbon cane with a stardust ball held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
Green and Cobalt Blue Filigree Glass Bell Size: " 5 3/4 " H x3.5 " W Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino available
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Green and blue zanfirico canes with green latticino canes form a lovely bell body bottom which is enhanced with a black lip wrap. A unique handle and clapper stems are made with
matching canes. |
Full Filigree Magnum Pink and Blue Wedding Bell Size: (W) 5 9/16", (H) 11.5" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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Very detailed Magnum Full Filigree Wedding bell with a blown handle and a pink lip wrap. The stem of the clapperis made from the pink latticino cane matching the body of the bell and the ball is made from a pink and blue zanfirico cane used in the body held in place with sterling silver findings. |
Purple and Green Wedding Bell Size: (W) 5 1/2", (H) 11 3/8" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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This Purple and Green Full Filigree Magnum Wedding Bell has a matching blown handle and a matching lip wrap. The body of the bell has a wonderful example of green Zanfirico canes with contrasting purple latticino canes. The stem of the clapper is made from the purple latticino cane matching the body of the bell and the ball is made from a green Zanfirico cane used in the body. The clapper is held in place with sterling silver findings. |
The Stardust Bells are created using plain and specific colored "Dichroic Glass" We enhance its reflective qualities to exhibit more
color and sparkle. It is then combined with various styles of ribbon cane, latticino or other exotic complex canes. These pieces are
truly unique and the end result is dazzling. These are truly signature pieces unique to Virginias' and Tonys' style. The end result is
of one of unrivaled color and brilliance.
Stardust Ribbon Bell Size: (W) 3.25", (H) 7.5" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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This Stardust Ribbon Bell has a black lip wrap and a hint of a ruffle on the bottom of the body. The pointed handle has a matching ribbon cane gently swirling down two sides that matches the body of the bell. The clapper stem is a matching ribbon cane with a Stardust ball held in place with sterling silver findings. |
Blue and Green Filigree Stardust Bell Size: (W) 3 1/2", (H) 7.5" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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This Filigree Stardust bell has a hint of a ruffle on the bottom of the body. The pointed handle has a matching ribbon rod gently swirling down two sides that matches the body of the bell. The clapper stem is a matching ribbon cane with a Stardust ball and is held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
Red and White Ribbon Stardust Bell Size: (W) 3.5", (H) 7 1/8" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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This Red and White Ribbon Silver Stardust Christmas Bell has a pointed handle with a matching ribbon rod gently swirling down two sides that matches the body. The clapper stem is a matching ribbon cane with a Stardust ball held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. This bell is a good example of the consistent twist and placement of cane that exhibits the undeviating pattern that is indicative of bells made by Virginia Wilson Toccalino and Tony Toccalino. |
Blue and Green Ribbon Stardust Bell Size: (W) 4.25", (H) 9.5" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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This lovely bell has a black glass detail around the bottom of the body called a lip wrap. The pointed handle has a matching ribbon rod gently swirling down two sides that matches the body of the bell. The clapper stem is a matching ribbon cane with a Stardust ball held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
White and Silver Stardust Christmas Bell Size: (W) 4.5", (H) 8 5/8" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino
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This White and Silver Stardust Christmas Bell has a single crystal leaf decoration at the top of its’ ruffled body. A matching white zanfirico cane swirls gracefully down the handle. The clapper has a matching Zanfirico cane stem with a Stardust Ball. The clapper is held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
Blue and Pink Silver Stardust Bell Size: (W) 4 5/8", (H) 9.75" Signed: Virginia Wilson Toccalino not available Adopted to Private Collection
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The pink and blue rods used in this bell are known as Zanfirico complex canes. They are perfectly matched and executed in this spectacular Stardust Bell. The lovely pointed handle has a matching rod decorating it. The body of the bell has a black lip wrap detail at the bottom. The clapper has a matching Zanfirico cane stem with a Stardust Ball and is held in place with sterling silver jewelry findings. |
