Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. > Malta Glass

Mdina Fish - Help with dating

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wesley:
Hello All,

I have this Mdina fish vase in my collection and I was wondering if some could help me date it. With it being quite large, I was wondering if it was one of the earlier ones possibly. Measuring approx 11 inches, it is the one in the middle.

Kindest regards,

Wesley

wesley:
links to pics are:

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss212/wesjeffo/1.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss212/wesjeffo/2.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss212/wesjeffo/3.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss212/wesjeffo/4.jpg

MarkHill:
Hello again Wesley,
I've just seen this first post and the images -- very useful.
I'd put this as having been made after Michael Harris left, so after 1972, for the following reasons:

- Although it appears a purpley colour, which can indicate a very early production, the browner tone suggests it's later.
- The 'wings' are squared off rather than being rounded, which is characteristic of Fish vases produced from the mid-1970s onwards.
- The signature is thickly applied using a vibropen, and is very large and swirly. Michael Harris' signature is smaller, tighter and more often than not executed with a diamond point tool, although some (still more thinly executed) vibropen signatures are known.
- the swirly signature here is currently believed to be that of Eric Dobson, Michael Harris' co-founder, and owner of the business after Michael left in 1972 until Joseph Said took over in 1985. This does not mean it was signed by Dobson himself (he was a businessman rather than a glassmaker or de facto designer), but it is likely. There are two primary variations of these swirly signatures - those that end with a vertical suggest Joseph Said, and those than end with a horizontal squiggle suggest Eric Dobson.

So, in all I would say mid to late 1970s - and a jolly lovely piece!

Hope this helps,
Best,
Mark

soledivo:
many thanks Mark,

congrats Wesley,  now I'm jealous, lovely find    :hiclp:

soledivo:
either I'm going mad, which more than possible,  but
I could have sworn my post was regarding the candle stick and not the above,
the men in white coats are getting impatient so must go  :chky:

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