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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Malta Glass => Topic started by: Baked_Beans on November 03, 2012, 08:35:21 AM

Title: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: Baked_Beans on November 03, 2012, 08:35:21 AM
This lovely little apple reminds me of a redstreak cider apple !

http://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/cider-apple-trees/somerset-redstreak

Is is possible to date it within a decade ? Thanks for having a look it's about 6cms tall , not including the stalk . I just want to bite into it but I'm concerned about my teeth ----->  ;D
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 03, 2012, 10:09:25 AM
Well this IS something different!
The script on the base is early, pre-dating the tool that vibrated from side to side, the colour is amethyst, making it early too.
There has been a dip mould used, so that makes it not early, early early.
Mid-'70s, probably?

It's beautifully made. I personally have strong Boffo suspicions. No proof, no evidence.
Did wfs make apples?
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: Baked_Beans on November 03, 2012, 11:13:33 AM
Thanks Sue,

Pleased you like it , it's something quite special and I thought perhaps Boffos (nothing new there!)

I havn't ever seen one in amethyst before.  I like the way the stalk tapers and bends but the use of colours is so wonderful its a work of art ! 

Whitefriars did make apples and pears but I have no idea if they were made whilst the Boffos were there. The pears I think were only introduced in the last year so are quite rare but I may be wrong there ...here is a lovely collection...

http://www.whitefriars.com/my_photo.php?Owner=willie&Id=6066

Thanks for your help Sue.  Cheers, Mike.
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 03, 2012, 11:30:39 AM
I suppose an apple isn't exactly an "original" shape to modify a basic pwt. into....
It's been done to death. (but remember I'm a bit of a philistine about pwts and wfs.  ;D )
It's the use of the colour that makes your weight special.
And that apple-weights were not commonly made early on.
I don't know when they got the dip mould for these shapes though - it's use is found in pwts, knopped pwts and in the horsehead things.
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: Baked_Beans on November 03, 2012, 12:58:32 PM
That's interesting, Ive seen this vertical streak pattern in all of the above mentioned Mdina weights. It must have originated in this apple design which mimics so well the skin of an apple.

Here are my horseheads (one dated 1973 seen before on another thread). The diameter of the bulbous base, at the widest point , is the same for both the horses (within 1mm)  . The diameter of the apple at the widest point is also approx. the same (within 2mm) , very slightly less for the apple. 

So if the Malta Knights were made using a dip mould then this mould was introduced no later than 1973.

Ta, Mike.
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 03, 2012, 01:31:05 PM
Which makes it post-Harris. ('71)

But this doesn't mean your apple was the first bit to use a mould. The fact that it's a variation on a pwt might suggest it comes under the category of the "things the Boffos made in their own time", though. These are normally described as being "jugs and animals".
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: Baked_Beans on November 03, 2012, 02:54:49 PM
Yes , I understand that and I'm not implying that this apple is by Boffo (it could be though).

It's difficult to prove anything about these unsigned glass objects.

The only notable aspect about the apple is that it's the most mouthwatering apple, made of glass, I have seen ! It's something to look out for when glass hunting .
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 03, 2012, 02:57:56 PM
The quality would indicate a very superior and experienced maker.  ;D
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: Baked_Beans on November 03, 2012, 03:45:27 PM
Well, I couldn't agree more !

It's such a pleasure to be able to show it off, in all it's crunchiness, here !  ;)

If you find one Sue , then post it here !!

Thanks for your appreciation, Mike.
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: Baked_Beans on November 05, 2012, 08:27:57 PM
Here is another Mdina apple on ebay....sadly the stalk has broken off.

Very nice indeed with labels ...plus a pattern label.  Do you think this apple was made by the same hand ? Are the labels a clue to a possible date ?  You have to scroll down the ebay listing to see the other photos ....I didn't see them to start with !


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Malta-Mdina-glass-green-apple-shape-paperweight-ornament-/170935603741?pt=UK_Art_Glass&hash=item27cc8e521d
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: Baked_Beans on November 06, 2012, 08:24:55 AM
Page 133 of Mark Hill's book talks about labels and says that long rectangular labels that have rounded corners ,made from paper ,and read 'handmade in Malta' (as in the ebay example) are early and used until the mid 1970's . So I think both these apples would perhaps date from the same time. It's a shame about the stalk !.... but both have a similar style, quality, craft manship  and finesse ,I feel . Ta Mike.  ....I might have just answered my own questions  ;D
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 06, 2012, 12:48:34 PM
That's a later bit. You can tell by the shade of blue used - that's what Mark describes as the "jewell-like" deeper blue used.
I've no idea what the writing on the label means - but I've got later bits with the same attachments. I really don't pay too much attention to labels - they're paper or plastic, although somebody did point out a size difference between paper ones recently - I still don't know if it means anything at all.

Completely different genus, Mike. (and the stalk IS broken)
Title: Re: Is it possible to date approx. this delicious Mdina apple ? Ta .
Post by: Baked_Beans on November 06, 2012, 08:24:28 PM
Thanks very much Sue,

Gosh , I've still got lots to learn here !

It's not easy having an interest in glass !  It's great to be able to discuss it all here though.

Cheers , very helpful (for me !), Mike.