Topic: 1970s European Studio Glass?

[kwqd]

This bottle/vase is about 5.5" high x 4" in diameter and weighs 1.25 lbs. The pontil is a bit unusual. There are some marks etched on the bottom which appear to be initials and a year (L O 73) and maybe a catalog or inventory number (4 73 - 42). The latter could be March 1973, 42nd piece made. Maybe the work of an actual artist, not a student. The "inventory" number could also be part of an inventory system shared by several artists in a studio, hence the relatively large number, 42, or maybe that is not too much for a single artist to produce in a month. All guesses on my part as to what these numbers and letters are and may have meant. Also, note the line in the middle of both number 7s. That is not commonly done in the U.S., so this could be a European piece, although it came from a seller in Kansas, USA. Any thoughts on whether or not this might be European or anything else about it? Thanks!

[catshome]

My first thought on seeing this strapped, or trailed, piece, is that it could be from Malta.  I can't comment on the numbers, but that's where I would start if it were mine.  It's a lovely chunky little piece!

Further thought - I wonder if it could be an experimental piece.  Having the trails on the bottom wouldn't seem very practical.  I remember reading that Isle of Wight glass had a snapped pontil scar up to 1973.  Sorry for the random musings......I fully expect to be shot down very soon by someone who knows 

[kwqd]

Thanks for the comments. I did not know much about Malta glass and started researching it.

[Lustrousstone]

i'm pretty confident this isn't from Malta. I suggest Amercian studio glass

[Paul S.]

I wouldn't disagree with Lustrousstone  -  mostly because I've not a clue as to real origin of this piece, but ………………..  like cat I also looked quickly and thought it appeared to be some form of take on a not uncommon Mdina design, or even an original in rare a colourway  -  such genuine pieces are usually in colours other than seen here.         Imitation, as they say, is the sincerest form of flattery, but the trailing on the underside does seem peculiar.

Looking at the digits - not sure how common, or otherwise, it is for the States to use the Continental cross on the figure seven.

Where is the lady from Scotland who is one of our acknowledged experts on Maltese?

[chopin-liszt]

I was in Catfish Row yesterday. 

Not Maltese. The colours are both completely wrong and the trailing would not have gone around the bottom; a broken pontil scar would not be found on any bottle with a wide flange.
And the numbers wouldn't be Maltese.
I'm afraid I am clueless.
The blue is a bit dark and too royal for Maltese, the slightly dirty ambery yellow colour of the trails is absolutely not Maltese.

[kwqd]

A Big Thank You! to everyone who has replied to this thread. The "crossed 7" is very unusual in the U.S. I personally have never known or seen anyone here who does this. I am ex-military and it is not commonly used there. Slashed zeros and lined Zs are common, though, and I still do that. When I first saw it, I thought it was American studio glass, until I noticed the 7s.. Now I have no idea...