Topic: Mdina Textured Flask- Colour Clarification/ confirmation....

[Greg.]

Hi All,

Just picked up the below rectangular textured Mdina bottle, which I was pleased to encounter. However, the color is virtually all blue, with hardly any green. The color in the first pic is a little misleading as the sun makes it look more green than it actually is, however, in pic 2 compared with other Mdina textured pieces it is a little easier to see the color difference.

The rim and neck are also slightly different in shape as the neck is not as elongated as other bottles/flasks I have encountered.

Is the color difference due to a temperature issue during manufacture..?- In terms of the size and base everything else looks fine, plenty of wear and a concave polished pontil to the base.

All thoughts appreciated.

Regards,
Greg

[glassobsessed]

The colour difference will not be a result of variation in working temperatures, more likely is the somewhat random effect of using silver salts as colouring agents and also the necessity of using whatever materials were available for production.

The flask itself looks very nice to my eye, interesting with that button rim too. There's plenty of variation in the necks of these textured bottles from Mdina.

John

[chopin-liszt]

I've not seen one of these rectangular ones with silver salt inclusion before - all the ones I've seen simply have variations in colour because of the initial intensity of colour melted in the pot that bottle is made from.
I've got two of these rectangular ones, both have different rim/neck finishes - both a bit taller than the lovely button rim on this one. I believe these rectangular ones are scarcer than the big bottles and the smaller pots.

But the joy of Mdina textured stuff is that despite the bottles being mould blown, each one is completely unique because of differences in colours, colour saturation, silver salt inclusion and the individual shaping of the different necks and rims.

[Greg.]

Thanks John & Sue, interesting to hear your thoughts. As you mention Sue, I have also encountered more of the large bottles than the rectangular flasks, they do certainly appear harder to find. The Mdina textured wares have been a favorite of mine for a while, all have their own individual characteristics. Just need to find one of the large bottles/flasks in an amethyst colorway now!

Thanks again.

Greg

[glassobsessed]

I think this tall one had salts added though it is not the squatter variation above.

[Greg.]

I've actually handled that bottle at a recent glass fair, I think the dealer mentioned it was slightly earlier in date than some of the more vibrant colors that you can see.

[MarkHill]

Rare thing! As Sue says, the rectangular form is much harder to find than the taller square section bottles and smaller vases. What interests me is why. After all a metal mould would have had to be made, at the same cost as the moulds for the other two forms. So it seems clear that this size was deemed too large, or impractical to use or transport home, or even too expensive. I think I've seen half a dozen over the years, one a vase rather than a bottle as here.
Superb find, I'm envious, especially with that button rim which is a further rare feature!
Best,
Mark

[chopin-liszt]

 

On the subject of the moulds, Mark, this has just reminded me I've been meaning to mention to you that I think there may have been another size, apart from the tall bottles, the rectangular bottles and the short pots.

I've got a medium height bottle, with an odd, very thick cup-shaped rim, but it is rectangular in shape - the longest side is the same as the tall bottles, but the other side is shorter.
The bases of the small pots are ~ 7.5cm x 7.5cm
The bases of the tall bottles are ~ 10cm x 10cm.

This oddity is ~ 10cm x 8cm, and is 28cm tall.

(ps I emailed you recently, with a load of images and awkward questions, but I'm not sure I used a current address.... xxxx)

[Greg.]

Hi Sue,

Could you add a picture of the bottle sounds intriguing..?

Thanks, Greg :thup:

[chopin-liszt]

I'll track one down soon, Greg.
I've just been studying textures and matching them up to each other.
I have 4 small pots, two are made with one mould, two are from a different one.

The basic big texture of these seems to be all based on one big template, but different parts of it are used for the sides of each mould.

In the big bottles, it runs horizontally on two opposing sides and vertically on the other two.
On the small pots it runs horizontally.
and on the rectangular bottles it runs vertically.

But taking any 2 textured pieces, you will always find matching sections.