Topic: Mystery Mdina iridescent vase

[chriscooper]

Not a pattern I have seen before? thought maybe modern but does have the 'earlier' paper label so not sure.
Suggestions it maybe Phoenician thought the label does look like it's always been there?
Here is the album link while I figure out why the pictures won't post.

https://picasaweb.google.com/107067405711297858658/MdinaIridescentPerfumeBottle?authkey=Gv1sRgCOOektWWnc-7Jw

[Greg.]

Hi Chris,
Seen a handful of pieces in this design previously, I'm fairly sure its Mdina and would date to sometime around the 1980s, perhaps slightly later, its certainly later than earlier in date, although before the plastic labels were introduced. Its quite an attractive design. Interested to see where others place this design in terms of date....

Here's another example of this design in a different shape:
http://www.legacyantiques.co.uk/index.php/glass/european-and-scandinavian-glass/mdina-glass/mdina-miniature-iridescent-posy-vase-with-original-sticker.html


 

[chriscooper]

Think so too, wish I could capture the colours better lovely greens, blues and purple iridescence going off.

Thanks Greg.

Chris

[chopin-liszt]

I haven't seen too much of this design around.
I have two bits which might fit into being part of this design range - but to be honest, I don't know if my two bits are from the same range as each other, and they don't match this bit either.
I would tentatively suggest my bits might be experimental... leading up to the rather lovely beast posted here.
My bits are a bit peculiar. Both have the mark on the base that reads "Molina".

As to date, I'm unsure (although definitely post-Harris!). They're a bit more "adventurous" than the splodgy stuff.

[rosieposie]

Hi Chris,  it looks as though Greg has really nailed this one for you.  I would certainly go with it. The glass pattern and label are a dead match.

Sue, I often see the word Mdina written as appearing to be 'Molina', as do many people listing on eBay,  but it does read Mdina,  the 'ol' being the 'd'.  Here is a typical example where a seller reads the signature as Molina:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-vintage-SIGNED-vaseline-uranium-glass-CANDLE-HOLDER-VASE-over-3-pounds-/290890711837
But I really can't see you making this error with a distinctly Mdina piece, so I wondered, there is a glass company called Molina but they make Hash 'Bongs' in borosilicate glass, some of them being extremely attractive pieces of glass I might add. You mention that your two pieces look peculiar... could they possibly be parts for a Molina Bong rather than a Mdina piece?

[chriscooper]

Cannot believe even Bonhams and Christies get it wrong.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19902/lot/60/

http://www.christies.com/lotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=1292875

Can we have a picture of your 'similar' Sue ?

Chris

[chopin-liszt]

Absolutely not, rosieposie. 
One is a disc shaped vase with a flanged rim, the other is a small, straight sided bowl on a narrower foot,and they are definitely Mdina.
Both are shapes I tend to associate with being more '70s than '80s, but with experimental stuff, who knows what was happening when?
The Mdina mark on the base went through a period where the person making the marks simply had writing that made it look like Molina. Their "d" got stretched out a bit, that's all. This could be somthing which might help pin down a time period.
I can try to photograph my bits, but they're a nightmare to capture - and not nearly as sophisticated as chriscoooper's piece.
(posting at the same time)

Interesting that in Bonham's auction, the piece is a nice bit of "Tiger" - not "Marble", so it's tending to the '70s rather than the '80s.

[chopin-liszt]

The link provided by rosieposie does lead to a piece wrongly described as being Molina - when it's not even one of the "Molina"-style marks!

I suspect some folk just don't like the lack of a vowel between an m and a d....

  It's also not a candleholder, and it's not uranium or vaseline...

[Nemmie]

A lot of Mdina is not very functional. It's art.

I don't think those work well as anything.

[chopin-liszt]

I stand my vapouriser in one of mine. It's absolutely perfect for that.
(Or rather, I did stand my vapouriser in it,  until I realised it was one marked by Dobson.)
They're too big for normal ashtrays, now I've upgraded from look-alike e-fags.