Topic: Mdina Seahorses... dates made???

[Baked_Beans]

Hi Wolfie,

I well remember your visit to Malta and contributed to your post with the very same ' horse paperweight' pictured here in this thread.

Joseph Said sounds like a really lovely chap and you must have been thrilled to meet him and talk about Mdina.

He did describe them as ' horse paperweights' and not seahorses ....at least it clears that one up.

The Knight chess piece is essentially a horse....nothing more or less. If it is made of glass it can act as a paperweight ....obviously 

I think this 'horse paperweight ' was initially based on a knight chess piece design as I mentioned above...an uncanny resemblance ( IMHO )

So mythfest or not I believe the  design was inspired by a knight chess piece of the Staunton variety .

I've added some pics of another early example (with no neck what-so-ever    )

Have you spoken to Jim Munnelly about these to get his opinion of the design ?

Cheers Mike  & thanks for all your research on the subject  & thanks too, Rosie, for posting the subject !!

 

[WhatHo!]

Hi Mike, I have to disagree, there are no facts to back that up. On speaking Joseph he said these were nothing to do with chess pieces.
Just because something looks like something else doesn't mean it was inspired by it.
The myth about chess pieces has been stamped out and IMHO I don't think it is good for research to talk about these horse paperweights with any reference to chess pieces.

[chopin-liszt]

I think the info. has stuck in my brain this time, Wolfie. 
I promise I will not promulgate the myth any further and will denounce it when I see it in future.

[glassobsessed]

Wrist slapped.

[Patrick]

Hi,

Firstly I share WhatHo’s opinion that these were NEVER part of a Chess set .................but have an open mind to whether they were inspired by a chess piece. Unless Joseph Said specifically asked Boffo, we can never know for sure how he had come up with this design.

 What is unquestionable is the amazing success of this design that has been produced in huge quantities . It can be likened to the Whitefriars duck that was inspired by a Baccarat duck ( I have this on good authority by an ex worker ).

Just my thoughts,

              Patrick.

[Baked_Beans]

Thanks Wolfie ,

Is that checkmate then for my little theory ?...I guess so   

Many designs can be interpreted  differently ...depending on who is looking at them.

As Patrick said ...I too will continue to keep an open mind.

I really like these pieces and they have been copied too, by other Maltese glass companies ...a real fitting tribute to Boffo .

[glassobsessed]

Myths are easily perpetuated, especially with the help of 'tinternet. In many situations it is probably much easier to start a myth than spend time and effort researching. Then there is the propensity for us hairless chimps to believe a well told story....

[Patrick]

Hi,
 Here is an image of the head of the horse that Boffo made whilst at Whitefriars........... 

 You can clearly see crimps rather than pulls.

Regards,

     Patrick.

[WhatHo!]

Hi, what is nick named 'punk' style is the type that is in Mikes Reply #10. The mane hasn't been crimped flat and has only been pinched out with thin nosed pliers.
All other Horse paperweights have the mane pulled out flat first (as in the horse above) and then dents pinched into it.

[Anne]

I really like these pieces and they have been copied too, by other Maltese glass companies ...a real fitting tribute to Boffo .

Like my Mtarfa fish one!   http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,60280.0.html