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Author Topic: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??  (Read 2426 times)

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Offline jonchellycain

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MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« on: July 03, 2009, 11:26:43 AM »
Hi there
ive been collecting glass from all of Michael Harris ventures for a few years now, mainly IOW and Mdina and have been fortunate enough to find some really nice and rare pieces. I bought this one a few weeks back at a boot sale for £10.
For those of you who have Mark Hills book on Michael Harris turn to page 41  ;D. The best way to descibe it is like a small textured vase which has been pulled down at the top into a dish/ashtray, It has a square base which is smooth and polished (no signiature), the bit thats baffling me a bit is there is a blue streak inside which i havent seen in Mdina before its more opaque than the normal blue, the actual colour is more like the blue used in blue and white swirl for IOW glass..it may just be an optical thing and im seeing more than what is there.
Does anybody have any idea on the age of this, ive put it down in my head as being an early 70's piece, but would like a couple of opinions. Ive seen a few of the bottles but never one in this shape before.
7.5cms tall, corner to corner 15.5cms 12.5cms by 13.25cms 560g
many thanks
michelle

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Offline glassobsessed

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2009, 01:02:40 PM »
Hi Michelle, what is the size at the base?

John.

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Offline jonchellycain

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2009, 01:04:40 PM »
its 7cms by 7.25cms
michelle

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Offline glassobsessed

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2009, 01:23:48 PM »
The two textured vase I have here are about 7.5 cm square on the base so that is about right.

The technique for making the textured vases and bottles involves fusing a separate piece of glass for the rim with the glass for the body of the piece (gathering on the post) before blowing it into the mould. The neck would then be shaped and smoothed with more trips to the furnace (I think the book does a better job of explaining it than me). A complicated and involved sounding process with plenty of chances for things to go haywire (slumping etc). I wonder if your bowl was made using an adaptation of this method?

I wonder what Sue (Chopin-Liszt) thinks about it?

John.

Also, textured vases came with flat polished bases as well as some with polished pontil marks.

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Offline scimiman

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2009, 01:25:20 PM »
Ron at Artius glass is your man. http://www.artiusglass.co.uk
Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk

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Offline jonchellycain

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2009, 01:33:50 PM »
The first thing i though was i wonder if they where trying to make one of the vases/bottles and it went wrong so changed the shape.
I know they tried very hard not to have any wastage and seconds where not really known of as such, it was all just sold, unless to badly disformed and so on, i.e if it started colapsing beyond repair on one side, he just pulled down the other sides to form the bowl/ashtray, then it could still be sold instead of having to start again
 I believe Michael made alot of these textured vases as they where so tricky. It looks great in my collection whatever it may be, i only have one other in the textured range (i stupidly sold a quite a few piece, years ago) and that is a 21cms round texture vase in earthtones, the same as on page 53
michelle

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Offline jonchellycain

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2009, 01:36:17 PM »
I have spoken to Ron about quite a few pieces of my collection before, but havent got round to emailing him this one yet. He and Mark Hill gave me some good advise on some blue and white swirl i have in my collection.
michelle

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Offline jonchellycain

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2009, 01:39:50 PM »
Ive just emailed Ron, so hopefully he will take a look on here soon

Michelle

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Offline glassobsessed

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2009, 01:40:49 PM »
Would love to see any photos of your blue and white, did I read somewhere you have a charger in that colourway?  :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

John.

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Offline jonchellycain

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Re: MDINA unusual shape does anybody know anything about it??
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2009, 01:45:45 PM »
yes its absolutly gorgeous also have a globe vase which i picked up for £5 at a car boot sale, although paid a little more for the charger at £400 at a charity auction last year.
I will get some picture on here, i presume the best place would be British glass, I must say made Mark Hill slightly green  :mrgreen: when i got it  ;D
It has a nice layer of dust on it at the moment as im too scared to pick it up.. i had to walk about a mile to my car with it when i bought it and i carried it as though my life depended on it ;D.
Im a work from 3.15 today untill 9am monday so will get them on when i get back

michelle

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