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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: jimbo1 on November 16, 2011, 06:21:34 PM

Title: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: jimbo1 on November 16, 2011, 06:21:34 PM
Hi All,

I have found a couple of early?? Mdina pieces over the last few weeks and was wondering what years these were made, one is a massive (16") stoppered bottle and one is a small (4") side stripe. Hopefully these are Harris period.

The stripe on the side stripe is amethyst with a halo effect of clear glass and the stoppered bottle is sandy coloured.

http://i40.tinypic.com/kn69u.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2afcpk9.jpg

James
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: glassobsessed on November 16, 2011, 06:56:39 PM
Both are really good examples, personally I would go crazy for the sidestripe vase. The sidestripe will likely be 1969 or 1970, the small button rim, purple stripes and small size push me in that direction. The bottle and stopper may well be around 1970 - 1972 though there is a chance they were made a year or two later (but I doubt it).

A photo of the small vase in daylight against a white background (a piece of paper works fine) would be appreciated.

Very nice!

John
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 16, 2011, 06:57:10 PM
Both are Harris period - well done!
I have two of these massive bottles (I call them "sweetie jars" - they remind me of the bottles you see in old-fashioned sweetie shops!)

They're not that common - the pattern is called "Rosenthal". Does it have a rounded out and polished pontil mark?
They are sometimes seen in blue with the yellow streak and mottling.

And I'm madly jealous of your side-stripe - I know of the one in the book with coloured side stripes - and John has one, and I don't. Yours is the third I know of.
It also has a button rim and a lovely streak of iridesence.

I would be all upset if I hadn't found something so wonderful at the National that nothing can burst my bubble!  :smg:

edited to add......

If I hadn't written such a long and informative reply I'd have posted before John -  >:D

You do already have a coloured stripe don't you, John? hmmmm? If this one's up for grabs, I want it!  :P
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: jimbo1 on November 16, 2011, 07:10:28 PM
Thanks both,

Will try and get a better photo in the morning of the side stripe - if there's any sun tomorrow!!

The bottle has a polished pontil with the small tight mdina script as well as a small label with a number in pen. The weird thing about the bottle is that the stopper does not fit that well, if you turn it slightly it seats OK but it does wobble a bit. I'm sure its the correct stopper it matches perfect.

James

PS - What did you find at the national, I missed it this time.

Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: glassobsessed on November 16, 2011, 07:18:27 PM
The stopper is fine, they were a bit rough and ready.

I bought a Mdina charger at the National (photos when and if the sun ever shines here again), Sue bought something exceptional but I am not going to steal her thunder....
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 16, 2011, 07:22:42 PM
Small tight script????? This is getting bettter and better!

Piccie please! It might be MH's writing!

The stoppers in/on both my bottles wobble madly and have to be put in certain positions only - and I can't swap them over either - which is a real shame, as they would both LOOK better with the other's stopper - just the way the patterning goes.

I got a fabulous and seriously complicated early (1967) piece by Sam Herman. Number 107.
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: jimbo1 on November 16, 2011, 07:27:49 PM
I've had a couple of chargers, one was really nice in amethyst about 15" across with loads of silver streaks but sold it because I could not display it well. Wherever I put it it just did not look right. I also had a small one similar in colour to the bottle above but sold it because of the same reason.

 
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Greg. on November 16, 2011, 07:33:43 PM
Exceedingly nice, I did wonder where it had gone, although above my budget. Glad it went to a good home.

Must be a very early RCA piece, as I understand Sam became head of the glass department that year and was only invited to the RCA in 66.

I gather the piece came from an auction in Germany.

Stunning item.
 ;)
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: jimbo1 on November 16, 2011, 07:57:46 PM
I have added a couple of pictures, one with the Mdina script on the bottle and also a picture of the side stripe with strong light behind showing the coloured stripe. Hope they work as I'm not the best photographer.


(http://i39.tinypic.com/dsc2x.jpg)


(http://i44.tinypic.com/v8kdb4.jpg)
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Greg. on November 16, 2011, 10:29:59 PM
James, I'm always a little unsure about attributing the Mdina scripting, however, my thoughts are that it is probably more likely to be Dobson.

Good to get a few other thoughts on this one.
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: jimbo1 on November 16, 2011, 10:54:55 PM
Thanks for the comment Greg, I'm the same with you when it comes to signatures. My thought's on the Harris/Dobson signatures is why would Dobson sign anything, as far as I'm aware he was the business manager from an accounting background. Michael was the operational/production man. Why would he sign pieces.

I'm sure this has been discussed before but it has all-way's puzzled me. :ooh:
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 17, 2011, 11:53:39 AM
That's Dobson's writing.  :thup:
At Mdina it was a very "all hands on deck" approach to getting things done.
The business was incredibly successful, they had trouble keeping enough stock on the shelves in the shop.
Everybody did a bit of everything they could. Dobson, while officially the "business partner" also designed and signed pieces. Tiger is his design. I suspect the cube vases are too, although I have no confirmation of that.
If nobody was available to finish off bases beautifully or to mark things, it just didn't get done.
And marking things was never a priority anyway.
I also believe that the horse head things, (which I used to believe were a Said design) are a Boffo design - this is info. Wolfie has just brought back from Malta and a long interview he had with Joseph Said.  :chky:

Were you at the National, Greg! I missed you!
When I saw this Sam, it was blow my budget - I couldn't NOT afford it - the agony of living without it would have been overwhelming.

But now i'm in agony wondering about an AMETHYST charger with tons of iridesence - I've never seen one, and I want it!
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Greg. on November 17, 2011, 12:44:12 PM
Its a stunning item Sue, looks even better in the hand.

I'm sure your recognise the attached picture, its a shot of the back of Steve's business card, the image speaks volumes, no wonder he decided to use it on his card.  I went back to have another look at it, later in the day and he said it had been sold. I'm pleased its gone to a good home, I do love the texture and feel of the piece, it screams early studio glass and Herman. It was only a last minute decision to go the National, been renovating the house lately so its been taking up all my time and cash.


As for the amethyst charger its probably best not to dwell on to long!  ;)

 :)

Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Leni on November 17, 2011, 01:02:58 PM
Sue, I hope you (and James) agree and aren't offended, but I think a moderator should 'pull out' your posts about the Sam Herman piece and make it into a separate thread!  It's far too historically important a piece to risk the information about it getting 'lost' in James's Mdina thread - also important in the field of Mdina study  :thup:  but IMHO just not quite as news-worthy as the Sam Herman piece!  :sun: 
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 17, 2011, 01:11:14 PM
Steve gave me his partner's card instead of his own one Greg - but I was well aware of the historical importance of the piece - I'm so thrilled with it on every level imaginable, I was actually dancing at the fair while I was showing it to friends - I couldn't stop myself!

I do intend to make a thread about it Leni  :-[ - my pics did come out quite well - I just couldn't help shoving it in while Greg was here - it's the only Sam I have which is up to his standard of Sam-bits.

I'm still all over the place with excitement about this and everybody else's wonderful and exciting bits! :ooh:
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Greg. on November 17, 2011, 01:28:27 PM
I would be delighted to add a few pics to go with your piece Sue, would be nice if they were all contained in one thread together.

Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 17, 2011, 01:32:35 PM
It's done - but if we're having a Sam-fest perhaps I should change the title!
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Greg. on November 17, 2011, 01:41:16 PM
Good point! alternatively I don't know if its easier to start a new thread altogether.....?

Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Greg. on November 17, 2011, 01:42:32 PM
Ignore my last post Sue, just spotted the new thread.
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Lustrousstone on October 29, 2012, 12:11:16 PM
It was good to meet James and his wife on Sunday at Event City but a shame that the pix of the Mdina we discussed have vanished. It would be good if you could add them again by using the board's attach via a reply  ;D
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: bfg on October 29, 2012, 01:22:36 PM
you know, I went on a school holiday to Malta in the 70's and was dragged round the Mdina glassworks with several dozen other bored kids  - under strict instructions from my dad to get the best signed piece of glass I could sensibly pack in my suitcase for his collection - he even gave me extra spending money to do so.

who knew. lol would love to go back in time and do it again with my glassie head on *sigh*

Mel
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: chopin-liszt on October 29, 2012, 03:18:04 PM
But what did you buy, without your glassie head to help?
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: bfg on October 29, 2012, 03:34:52 PM
now there's a question Sue.

From memory, I think it was a large chalice / goblet with the squiggly blobby bit (technical term!) on the stem.

I also vaguely remember being quite distressed because it wasnt signed and I had had specific instructions to make sure it was. Seem to remember an old man taking it out the back and bringing it back a few minutes later all signed and dated.

The piece is still in dads collection although he is downsizing. I must get it out one day and have a look at the base and see what it says!
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: chopin-liszt on October 29, 2012, 04:51:44 PM
 :o :o :o
Do you know if it's straight sided bowl on it, or is it bell-shaped? The bell shaped ones are mostly really early MH ones - but the knop was knopped by "Papa" (Vicente) Boffo.
They're very thin on the ground....
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: jimbo1 on October 29, 2012, 09:37:04 PM
Hi Christine,

It was good to meet you too, I cant remember the original picture but know it had the small Mdina side stripe. I have take a picture with a few other favourites but with a uranium twist. Hope you like it.

I've also purchased one of those snazzy UV torches as well.

Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: Lustrousstone on October 29, 2012, 09:53:24 PM
Oh a Webb piggy with tail!  ;D The other piece was the large Rosenthal bottle
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: jimbo1 on October 29, 2012, 10:02:27 PM
The bottle is away at the moment. Will add a picture when I get it back!!

 
Title: Re: Little and Large - Mdina Style
Post by: chopin-liszt on October 30, 2012, 11:43:28 AM
I'm in lust with *every* bit there, Jimbo!