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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Malta Glass => Topic started by: Baked_Beans on September 05, 2012, 03:44:29 PM

Title: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: Baked_Beans on September 05, 2012, 03:44:29 PM
I think these are MDG ....I wont be buying but might be of interest to someone !!

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-hand-blown-art-glass-vases-Mdina-glass-Malta-/130761257802?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D1833286609290840746%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26

Postage costs to U.K. are a bit steep !! ::)

Cheers, Mike.
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: Lustrousstone on September 05, 2012, 06:29:54 PM
I agree; they've been listing them for weeks now
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: Baked_Beans on September 06, 2012, 06:11:12 AM
Ta Christine , didn't know they have been listed for weeks  ;) Shame about the stopper . :(
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 06, 2012, 08:37:58 AM
We don't know if stoppers were optional or not in MDG - which is what these are.  ;D

Even with postage, the 2 items only come to around £57 (plus import tax) which is very reasonable indeed.
(I'm not going for them - I have lovely examples of these shapes already)
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: jakgene on September 06, 2012, 01:26:06 PM
Can someone please translate? What is MDG?? Or am I being thick today.........

Thanks  :)
Jackie
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 06, 2012, 01:41:13 PM
Malta Decorative Glass, Jackie.
A small, very short-lived studio set up by the Maltese government with financing from China, around 1977.
The government had seen how well Mdina had succeeded, and, having "disposed" of Michael Harris, leaving Eric Dobson and Joseph Said running Mdina, they decided that the whole enterprise could be repeated, using Vicente Boffo as the masterglassmaker at the new place. He was told if he didn't take it on, he'd have to leave the island.
However, it did not succeed the way Mdina had and did not last. Many of the designs are variations on themes used at Mdina, but different colours were used as well.
For example, at MDG, you find pieces cased in amber (not a Mdina feature) they made green pieces (they're just glorious!) and the blue that is used is a different shade to that found in Mdina.
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: jakgene on September 06, 2012, 01:43:32 PM
Thank you so much Sue - I am now a little less ignorant!

And they are very Mdina like - I wouldn't know the difference without this board - obviously neither does the seller though!

Thanks again

Jackie

Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: Ohio on September 06, 2012, 03:48:26 PM
I strongly suspect that these will remain unclaimed as there is little interest in the U.S. for even Mdina let alone these. I have two showcases in the largest mall in the U.S. & the dealer next to me had a beautiful Mdina signed (although not Michael Harris) large fishhead vase from (as I recall) 1973 in his case for three years. After he reduced it to $99 & it still didn't sell so he took it back to the auction house where he bought it for $25 & it ended at $35 when put on the block again. I am certain the same happens in Europe when it comes to U.S. glass. Ken
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 06, 2012, 04:15:46 PM
It's definitely a buyer's market right now - if you're wealthy enough to be buying anything frivolous at all!
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: Baked_Beans on September 06, 2012, 06:46:14 PM
Superb thay are sold  :).....no doubt bought by a Boffo fan at a bargain price (not me b.t.way !)

Cheers Sue for all your help and advice  ;)
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: chriscooper on September 08, 2012, 11:17:50 AM
Hi Mike, I bought them, don't expect to make anything on them after the postage costs but at least they have come 'home' and should be a bit more accessible. I am a big fan off his work as you know but being a cold hearted dealer who never gets too attached I will probably move them on.
Chris
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: Baked_Beans on September 09, 2012, 03:11:43 AM
Really pleased you bought them Chris ! I wouldn't have known that they were MDG if I hadn't read all of Sue's posts on the subject. So it has been a team effort (Sue and you ) to get them 'home' :D

It's an interesting and amusing story from Ken about the market for Mdina glass in the States !
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 09, 2012, 10:22:36 AM
A lot of early Mdina was exported to the States.
However, there is so much fabulous (and early) studio glass over there, I can't really imagine that the "contributions" to the Studio Glass Movement from Europe would grab too much interest.
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: Baked_Beans on September 09, 2012, 02:55:08 PM
It's all to do with patriotic nostalgia  :)

If ever I get over to the States I will be heading for the nearest antiques emporium !   
Title: Re: MDG ? B.I.N. On ebay U.S.A.....stopper missing on bottle perhaps ?
Post by: chriscooper on October 12, 2012, 09:43:56 AM
 The 2 pieces finally arrived today.
Will put some photos in my album when the sun gets out.

Chris