Topic: Mdina squat vase - any info?

[chasdevlin]

Hi
I've had this Mdina piece for a while and I'd like to know more about it as it seems quite unusual. It's quite an unusual shape..just 3.5 inches but quite wide (18.5 circumference). In some ways it resembles the'sea and sand' pieces, but the lines are more regular and patterned than the random trails pieces. There are also brown paisley type shapes ( they look a bit like sperm- but that might not be the most attractive way to describe it!!  ). I wondered if this might be an early piece? Or whether anyone knows the pattern? I'm afraid the base came out a bit blurred in the photo, but it's the usual Mdina flat base (no signature).
Cheers! G

 

[Vitreo94]

Hi there,

In terms of its shape, it’s a pretty normal shape for Mdina, they often had many shaped vases but I’ve seen this shape a fair number of times. The pattern is often referred to as ‘chevron’ but this is incorrect, it’s actual name is the ‘Roman’ pattern I only know because Joseph said and Olivia Said (head of production and his daughter) referred to it this way when I had fish vases made in this same pattern. Not early sadly, it’s hard to date as they still produce pieces with this same pattern today, my guess is is that its within the last 30 years or so but I wouldn’t like to say for certain, but definitely post 80’s and likely 90’s 00’s but someone else may be able to better tell you.

Well made though and lovely colours on the vase, it’s a good clean example!

[chopin-liszt]

This "Roman" pattern is a Joseph Said design.
It comes in two forms, one where the decor is on the surface, like this one, and another, cased in teal, which makes the colour a much brighter and deeper yellow.

They are sometimes found with comet-y iridescent trails on them.

[chasdevlin]

Thank you to both of you. That's really helpful and informative.