Topic: Mdina wt. with pontil depression or scar?

[Paul S.]

Not my area, but having seen a few over the years it surprised me to see the base of this example showing an almost radial/petal/star like snapped/moulded depression, whereas I thought those I'd seen were simply ground/polished flat across the whole base.
Not very exciting I know, but it was cheap, and the base interested me  -  might this be an early, middle period, or even late type example  -  or are they very common and I've just been walking around with my eyes closed.                Lots of base wear, so might have reasonable age - and not a bruise in sight.
About 2.5" in height  -  c. 65 mm.

[chopin-liszt]

It looks like a reasonably early example, but I wouldn't go reading anything into the weird marks in the base.
I had an obelisk I suspect somebody tired to dig a hole in the bottom of, in order to stick it on top of something. Very crudely gouged out bits in the bottom.
I don't know if your "gouging" was done at the factory or later on. It still displays fine.

[Paul S.]

thanks for your expertise.        This depression has the looks of a moulded appearance, with some sort of radial impression, but I'll settle for 'a reasonably early example'.             It was only £2 but since I don't collect such things it will probably go back to the charity shop quite soon, though I think the colourway of these particular Maltese weights is always appealing.
I occasionally get worked up a tad about p.ws and think I should collect them, but the sand in the timer is starting to run lower and I mustn't start new areas of collecting.

[Paul S.]

I meant to say  -  I've lost your details, but if you let me have a pm I'll send it up and you can either keep or give to a local charity shop.
Just a thought since you're into the Maltese material.

[chopin-liszt]

But not paperweights, although I do somehow have a couple of examples like this.
Thanks!
I need to downsize myself. It takes longer to dispose of a collection than it does to aquire it, and I need to get that done before I pop my clogs. It wouldn't be fair to dump it all on Michael.

[Paul S.]

sure.             hmmm, err, do you think you'll make tea time??