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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Malta Glass => Topic started by: martincalder on July 07, 2013, 02:47:14 PM

Title: Glass signature identification ID= Mtarfa
Post by: martincalder on July 07, 2013, 02:47:14 PM

Hi, I'm new to this group. I wonder if anyone would be able to help me identify a signature on a vase I have? I've attached a photo, I think it looks like rhubarb. The signature on the base is difficult to read. I've copied it by hand and attached a scan. I'm not sure if it might be Mdina glass, or Mtarfa glass, or something else entirely. Any suggestion gratefully received thank you.

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: jomo99 on July 07, 2013, 03:35:04 PM

Hi Martin and welcome to the Forum!!! unfortunately none of your pics are showing so I'm assuming they are too large for the board to show! http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,34093.0.html May I suggest you read this to assist?

                                            Warmest Wishes,

                                                   John

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: Anne on July 07, 2013, 04:01:33 PM

Welcome to the board, Martin. If you get totally stuck adding pics please feel free to email me copies and I'll resize and add them for you. Send to yobunny AT hotmail.co.uk (close up the spaces and change AT to @ to make the address work.)

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: martincalder on July 08, 2013, 09:42:51 PM

Thanks for the advice, I think I've reduced the pixel size of the photos and am uploading them, here goes...

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 08, 2013, 09:50:41 PM

Can we see a picture of the actual signature on the glass. I think it might be Mtarfa though and should be the other way up

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: martincalder on July 08, 2013, 10:23:44 PM

Here's a photo of the base. It's almost impossible to see the signature. I don't know which way up it should read.

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: rosieposie on July 09, 2013, 08:20:17 PM

Christine is right , it is Mtarfa, and you have copied the writing upside down.  Try rubbing some talcum powder into the writing to make it clearer to photograph,  or even holding it so the base catches the light and the writing stays matt.  Look at some other Mtarfa markings on pieces in Google pictures to reassure yourself.  The colours are certainly right for Mtarfa.

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: martincalder on July 09, 2013, 08:32:15 PM

Thank you very much, I had no idea which way up it went. Talcum powder in the writing - now there's a trick!

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: Anne on July 09, 2013, 11:03:11 PM

Or a wee bit of charcoal dust if the talc doesn't work. ;)

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: ahremck on July 10, 2013, 05:46:20 AM

Another way especially if the pattern or contrast makes it hard to photograph directly is to shoot at a very shallow angle so the base looks light and the writing appears dark.  See attached photos for an example where one shows up much better than the other.

Ross

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: chopin-liszt on July 10, 2013, 08:27:11 AM

Definitely Mtarfa. I can tell from the colourway. (as well as the mark).
To be honest, when you said "rhubarb", it was this design and Mtarfa I thought of immediately, even before I saw the pics!
 :)

Title: Re: Glass signature identification
Post by: martincalder on July 10, 2013, 11:06:58 PM

Thank you. Then it wasn't just me who thought it looked like rhubarb, I wasn't sure.