Topic: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?

[Andy]

Just received this one today, I know it looks familiar 
It was advertised as 1970s Mdina, but i dont think it is, mainly, the rough Pontil is not right!
Im sure someone will know this one.
All suggestions welcome
Andy

[Andy]

trying again with photos.
Ah hah its working! 

[robbo]

Hi Andy -

Though I don't think it's usual, Mdina can have the remains of a pontil mark.
See this one of mine:

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4752

On this vase if the base had been ground enough to remove the pontil completely there would be no clear casing left on the base (if that makes sense  )

I can't say I'm familiar with the shape or decor of your vase - someone else may be. The grinding does have the "look" of Mdina.

Robbo

[Andy]

Thanks Robbo,
if its Mdina, i think it probably is early, and look at this one in the US, its not signed, and
the colours look too busy!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290214109005&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019


Hmmmm :huh:

I need to get the bottom of this one!
Cheers
Andy

[robbo]

Hi Andy,

I've not seen a Mdina vase as busy as that either - but compare the colour and strapping to this signed paperweight I sold recently:

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-9353
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-9352

 

robbo

[Andy]

Thanks Robbo,
Ive just checked Mark Hills book, and he does say sometimes the remains of the broken pontil
may be seen , and coludnt be polished further without compromising the base, and
what do you know! Ive just found a couple of them on my shelves Although not as large as
the one in my photos. (the pontil i mean)

I think Mdina is most likely, maybe it was a shape that was too difficult to make or unpopular?
and didnt have a long run.
Maybe Mark may pop in and give his opinion sometime.
Cheers
Andy

Actually, just adding , its a wonderful piece, and is going to be one of my favourites, i love the Honey
colour, so it woud be nice to get a definite attribution

And also, it was on ebay as 1970s Mdina, so im surprised it didnt get more attention and bids from other
Mdina collectors, just 2 bids, and i got it for about £6 Did anyone out there see it last week?

[steph]

Hi Andy,  I saw it - lovely colours.  I'm always nervous of buying from ebay.....I'm still at the stage where I need to hold apiece and see it in the flesh so to speak although I have had some good buys when I've taken a risk. Confidence will come with experience i hope! 

[Pip]

Andy, I've had several pieces of Mdina with this brown streaky 'tortoiseshell' type glass - mine however have been more conventional shapes and signed.  The glass looks absolutely fine for Mdina but that shape  :huh:  I've NEVER seen a piece of Mdina in anything even remotely resembling that form so I'd suggest it's either an experimental or limited production piece or else it's not Mdina.  Not very helpful I know but just my thoughts on it.

[Andy]

Hi Steph, thanks for not bidding
In defence of ebay, there is some lovely stuff on there, i usually tend to stick to what i know, but
sometimes, i see a piece i think may be interesting, and i try for it, ive bought a lot of rubbish that way
but also won some wonderful and unusual pieces (be brave sometimes!)

Pip, thanks for that, if youve seen this colour before, then im 99% sure this is Mdina, im sure somewhere
in the last few years , in a book, or on a website (and i did wonder if it was yours) i have seen this shape :huh:
Ive checked my books, and cant find it, but its definitely a keeper, so maybe in the future i will find out more!
Whats your opinion on the ebay US item? I think its got to be Mdina.
Ive seen plenty of Robbos paperweight pattern, but both mine and the US one, seem more unusual.

Cheers
Andy

[David E]

There is another possibility: could it be Mtarfa? I have this very early piece, with label, having a similar streaky appearance. I suppose this can be dated to early 1980s.

Forgot to take include a base shot, which is ground flat (no pontil mark). Anyway, there are certain differences when the bottle in not backlit, but I thought I'd throw this in. If anyone has a matching stopper...

Steph, also got off eBay for a song