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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Animals & Figurines => Topic started by: rose de verre on June 09, 2018, 08:03:20 PM

Title: Angel fish, unusual
Post by: rose de verre on June 09, 2018, 08:03:20 PM

Hi there
Here is my favourite fish - about 8 x 5 in - I would say a sommerso technique, but I have not found a similar interior,  swirls, bubbles, the effect is of a sea bed. sand and water, love the colours, signed but can't make it out, don't think the picture will help either !
All opinions very welcome.
All the best
Rose

Title: Re: Angel fish, unusual
Post by: glassobsessed on June 12, 2018, 08:16:59 AM

Suspect that says Mdina or Mtarfa. Hard to get a good photo of the signature when you cant get the item to stand upside down!

John

Title: Re: Angel fish, unusual
Post by: Fuhrman Glass on June 12, 2018, 02:31:38 PM

could it be IOW, Isle of Wight.

Title: Re: Angel fish, unusual
Post by: chopin-liszt on June 12, 2018, 04:55:44 PM

I think it's much more Maltese than English.
They didn't use much silver chloride at IoWSG. A little use early on, in Aurene, and then much later on, when Tim was making some special tribute pieces, but its use did not extend to any of the more everyday items.
I'm fairly sure this might have some silver chloride in it. ???
I'm more used to seeing this sort of colourway without any blue in it from Mdina, with the blue, I'd lean much more to Mtarfa. Their earthtones-style colourway often did have a deep blue in it.

Title: Re: Angel fish, unusual
Post by: glassobsessed on June 12, 2018, 05:11:04 PM

Quote from: Fuhrman Glass on June 12, 2018, 02:31:38 PM

could it be IOW, Isle of Wight.

When it is signed, Isle of Wight Studio Glass usually includes the designer/makers name, something along the lines of "Timothy Harris Isle of Wight England".

The shape of this fish is right for Mtarfa, there is one on ebay at the moment in a different colour but with a label. A google image search throws up a couple more, one also has a label.

Title: Re: Angel fish, unusual
Post by: rose de verre on June 12, 2018, 09:16:38 PM

Obliged for your replies.
 Mtarfa is interesting possibility. Have seen Mdina signed pieces. Frankly even a much better picture of the signature probably wouldn't help, it is really hard to make out. I remain impressed by the clever technique which is very intricate and astonishingly lifelike for sand & water -
all the best
Rose

Title: Re: Angel fish, unusual
Post by: Lustrousstone on June 13, 2018, 08:31:24 AM

It's Mtarfa. The signature is upside down in the pic

Title: Re: Angel fish, unusual
Post by: chopin-liszt on June 13, 2018, 09:00:30 AM

The Mtarfa marks are always unreadable, but we do know what they look like.
A little bit of talcum powder rubbed over the mark with your thumb would really help to bring it up for the camera.