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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Malta Glass => Topic started by: Andy on March 15, 2008, 01:09:06 PM

Title: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on March 15, 2008, 01:09:06 PM
Just received this one today, I know it looks familiar  :-\
It was advertised as 1970s Mdina, but i dont think it is, mainly, the rough Pontil is not right!
Im sure someone will know this one.
All suggestions welcome
Andy :D


Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on March 15, 2008, 03:25:27 PM
trying again with photos.
Ah hah its working!  ;D
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: robbo on March 15, 2008, 03:48:27 PM
Hi Andy -

Though I don't think it's usual, Mdina can have the remains of a pontil mark.
See this one of mine:

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4752

On this vase if the base had been ground enough to remove the pontil completely there would be no clear casing left on the base (if that makes sense  ;))

I can't say I'm familiar with the shape or decor of your vase - someone else may be. The grinding does have the "look" of Mdina.

Robbo
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on March 15, 2008, 05:37:46 PM
Thanks Robbo,
if its Mdina, i think it probably is early, and look at this one in the US, its not signed, and
the colours look too busy!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290214109005&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019


Hmmmm :huh:

I need to get the bottom of this one!
Cheers
Andy

Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: robbo on March 15, 2008, 10:32:36 PM
Hi Andy,

I've not seen a Mdina vase as busy as that either - but compare the colour and strapping to this signed paperweight I sold recently:

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-9353
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-9352

 ;D

robbo
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on March 16, 2008, 12:15:16 PM
Thanks Robbo,
Ive just checked Mark Hills book, and he does say sometimes the remains of the broken pontil
may be seen , and coludnt be polished further without compromising the base, and
what do you know! Ive just found a couple of them on my shelves :D Although not as large as
the one in my photos. (the pontil i mean)

I think Mdina is most likely, maybe it was a shape that was too difficult to make or unpopular?
and didnt have a long run.
Maybe Mark may pop in and give his opinion sometime.
Cheers
Andy

Actually, just adding , its a wonderful piece, and is going to be one of my favourites, i love the Honey
colour, so it woud be nice to get a definite attribution ;D

And also, it was on ebay as 1970s Mdina, so im surprised it didnt get more attention and bids from other
Mdina collectors, just 2 bids, and i got it for about £6 ;) Did anyone out there see it last week?
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: steph on March 16, 2008, 01:22:39 PM
Hi Andy,  I saw it - lovely colours.  I'm always nervous of buying from ebay.....I'm still at the stage where I need to hold apiece and see it in the flesh so to speak although I have had some good buys when I've taken a risk. Confidence will come with experience i hope! 
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Pip on March 16, 2008, 01:44:40 PM
Andy, I've had several pieces of Mdina with this brown streaky 'tortoiseshell' type glass - mine however have been more conventional shapes and signed.  The glass looks absolutely fine for Mdina but that shape  :huh:  I've NEVER seen a piece of Mdina in anything even remotely resembling that form so I'd suggest it's either an experimental or limited production piece or else it's not Mdina.  Not very helpful I know but just my thoughts on it.
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on March 17, 2008, 12:04:30 AM
Hi Steph, thanks for not bidding ;)
In defence of ebay, there is some lovely stuff on there, i usually tend to stick to what i know, but
sometimes, i see a piece i think may be interesting, and i try for it, ive bought a lot of rubbish that way :(
but also won some wonderful and unusual pieces ;D (be brave sometimes!)

Pip, thanks for that, if youve seen this colour before, then im 99% sure this is Mdina, im sure somewhere
in the last few years , in a book, or on a website (and i did wonder if it was yours) i have seen this shape :huh:
Ive checked my books, and cant find it, but its definitely a keeper, so maybe in the future i will find out more!
Whats your opinion on the ebay US item? I think its got to be Mdina.
Ive seen plenty of Robbos paperweight pattern, but both mine and the US one, seem more unusual.

Cheers
Andy ;D


Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: David E on March 17, 2008, 07:43:59 AM
There is another possibility: could it be Mtarfa? I have this very early piece, with label, having a similar streaky appearance. I suppose this can be dated to early 1980s.

Forgot to take include a base shot, which is ground flat (no pontil mark). Anyway, there are certain differences when the bottle in not backlit, but I thought I'd throw this in. If anyone has a matching stopper...

Steph, also got off eBay for a song  ;)
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Pip on March 17, 2008, 03:11:50 PM
Andy, actually on reflection the colours and pattern is very different from the signed Mdina pieces I had ... here's one of them:-

http://www.pips-trip.co.uk/retro-glass-maltese/mdina-gozo-glass/showitem-MDINA-TORT1A.aspx

I hadn't noticed the very definite patterning on yours and the eBay one.  I'm inclined to think David might be right with Mtarfa - hopefully one of the Mdina 'experts' will be along to take a look at this thread.
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on March 17, 2008, 04:20:52 PM
Hi Pip,
i should know my Mdina pretty well, ive got a few shelves full!
Plenty of Tortoiseshell pattern , just taken this , colours very different,
im still thinking its Mdina though
Andy ;D
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Cathy B on March 18, 2008, 02:09:32 AM
Andy, Pip and everyone,
The patterning reminds me of that J Wall stuff.
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: David E on March 18, 2008, 08:30:21 AM
Other J Wall thread:
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,9044.msg76444.html#msg76444
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on March 21, 2008, 12:44:32 PM
Just noticed Marks on line,
Mark, any ideas on this one?
Regards
andy

missed him, sorry for bumping ;)
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: MarkHill on March 27, 2008, 09:57:39 PM
Hi there,
Literally just found this thread. I'm pretty sure this is late 1970s-80s Mdina, from the Earthtones range produced after Michael left. I'm pretty sure I've seen this shape before, but it isn't common as you correctly say Pip & Andy. I have a catalogue from that period at home in my archive, but I'm not at home right now, so can't check it. So until then, I'll say I'm 95% sure it's Mdina as described.
Hope this helps,
Mark
 
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on April 04, 2008, 03:22:03 PM
Thanks Mark,
Im sure ive seen one ages ago signed Mdina, colours are unusual, did you click on the ebay link
above , for another one in the USA, even more striking colours!
Was it in your catalogue? Im sure its 70s sometime.
Regards Andy

ps have a lookat the unusual Mdina paperweight i found :D
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,20084.0.html

Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on April 05, 2008, 02:45:32 PM
Ah hah!
a signed one, amongst a fantastic load of Mdina being sold by Fieldings :o
http://www.fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk/lotDetails.asp?lotsID=18894&menuItemOn=3&salesID=56&hasImage=1

Andy 8)
Title: Re: Streaky Brown art glass, broken pontil 1970s Mdina ish?
Post by: Andy on April 10, 2008, 11:40:14 AM
Curiouser and curiouser :huh:
Saw this on ebay, tried for it, but had to go out for a curry and was outbid :'(
WMF ?
maybe, still looks Mdina ish, certainly never seen those colours though!
Andy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200212946010&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010