Topic: Mystery Maltese Glass - Mdina/Michael Harris?

[goyjus]

Here's another one of the base. Sorry my photography skills are somewhat limited...

[goyjus]

And here's one from above...

[chopin-liszt]

It's not an axe head,  :tsk: it's a FISH.
Axe head is a mismomer which unfortunately got into print early on and we've been trying to get rid of it ever since! It was coined by Mark Hill to describe these vases before he knew the real name.

If the signature is not Eric Dobson's, it's Joseph Said's - which is equally hard to decipher, but it can often be done - I've got confirmed images of each for comparing.

Is this an accurate representation of the actual blue in these photographs?

[goyjus]

Thanks Sue. I sit corrected. Should I post the photos of the base of the Fish on this thread or start another.

As far as the blue goes, I'd call it cobalt. The pictures have mainly be taken in natural light though there is a flash on the one marked 'Mdina2'.

[chopin-liszt]

I think I wan't John's opinion of whether or not it might be cobalt - if it is, that's another extra goodie - but it doesn't look at all right to me - the rest of it does, the writing even looks like MH's.

I'm not at all happy about the blue, I'm not!  :cry:

(I need to get my sticky mitts on it - but if I did, you might not get it back!)

[Greg.]

I would stick the photos of the Fish in a separate thread.

 

[goyjus]

Cheers Greg.

Sue - I'd say cobalt is the most accurate description of the colour. On the close up of the base shots it looks a bit brighter/lighter than actual. Hope that helps.

[glassobsessed]

Ooooh, ooooh....  :thud:

Stunning bit of glass, thanks for adding the extra photos.

I have a signed charger (by Michael Harris) with a personal inscription and the script on your vase looks spot on, so I reckon engraved by Michael Harris, very nice.
Charger: https://picasaweb.google.com/Johnmj100/EarlyMdinaGlass#5541209742646253202

The size of the vase is very similar to this inside out and they share that ochre 'bubbly crown'.

The blue colour looks to my eye just like the blue of that facet cut inside out we swapped for the ochre one below Sue: https://picasaweb.google.com/Johnmj100/EarlyMdinaGlass#5429986698506432370
It is not what I would describe as the Mdina cobalt, seen on the wings of this fish vase: http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,28360.0.html

Whatever we call it it is a gorgeous inside out vase, am I repeating myself?

John

[Greg.]

I would send an email with a few pictures to Timothy and Elizabeth Harris at Isle of Wight Glass, I'm sure they would remember the piece. Would be interesting to find out the date....

I wouldn't be surprised if it was made at a very early stage.

Great item!

[chopin-liszt]

Deep turquoise then. Not cobalt, John.  :thup: