Topic: Mdina vase with pontil scar and glass wave, help please

[davidfish1212]

Hi All,

I bought this vase yesterday, it was sold with the glass 'wave' stuck in the top, the vase itself has a pontil scar, the top is also a bit wonky. I wonder, was this vase a second and therefore they hadn't bothered getting rid of the pontil and what is the glass wave for? I have never seen one before and it was bought with the vase apparently. Is this from the sea and sand range, ive now got a few bits from this range and would like to find out a bit more about it ( i havent got the Mark Hill book yet, but Christmas is coming up fast )

Thanks in advance,
Cheers, David

[chopin-liszt]

Wonky is normal.
How well the pontil mark is finished off depended on how many staff were available with free time to make a better job of one - same goes for whether it was marked or not.

The glass wave is probably a swiizzle stick. I've not seen a wave one before. They don't turn up terribly often.
I've got a blue one, cased on clear and twisted, and one with a horse's head on top.

This is not "Sea and Sand" - I don't think it has a name.
Sea and Sand is a background of bubbly, foamy yellow with a swathe of Tiger around its middle.

You may have trouble finding a copy of the book - start looking now!

[davidfish1212]

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly Sue, are the swizzle sticks for any purpose in particular, I'm not sure what to do with it, does it just get stuck in the top of a vase as decoration? Maybe if I can track down a straight vase in this design, it may look better displayed with it!
Cheers again Sue

[chopin-liszt]

A swizzle sick is for mixing cocktails. 
I do have 2 Mdina cocktail jugs - but only got the twisted stick with one of them. The horsehead one I found on its own.
You can put it where anywhere you like, if it's yours!

[glassobsessed]

Just what I have been looking for, a large glass moustache!

That is a Side Stripe vase David, the base has been ground (and polished) otherwise it would not stand upright. They probably decided they had removed enough glass, any more may have caused further problems.

John

[davidfish1212]

Thanks John, I can now put a name to my new collection! I know what you mean about the polishing, I was having a look, and if they had polished the pointil scar out, there would be no clear foot left.
I was thinking of drilling a hole in the stick and using it as a hanging glass window twist stick thing, I don't think I've ever seen a Mdina cocktail jug Sue, I'm intrigued!
Cheers, David

[adam20]

I'm intrigued too Sue, I don't have Mark Hill's book and don't know if the jugs are in there - any chance of a picture?

Adam

[Nemmie]

It won't be hard to get a copy soon as Mark Hill is doing a reprint with added information.

From his website "A revised and expanded edition will be published in Spring 2013, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the founding of Isle of Wight Studio Glass."

So if you don't manage to get one for Christmas, you will soon afterwards.

[Leni]

Sue, please email me regarding the copy of Mark's book you so kindly sent me.  Excuse me using this thread to contact you. I have emailed you, but not had a reply.

[chopin-liszt]

I did reply - to one of them anyway, Leni! 

jugs and sticks:-