Topic: Positively odd glass owl... Maltese?

[Anik R]

This magnificently strange glass owl came my way as a gift from a very generous soul outside of Poland.    I wish I knew how to adequately describe the object... The inside is made of clear glass. It then has a thin layer of goldish-beige not evenly spread over the bird. That layer is covered with turquiosy-green glass of varying thickness. Then, in some places over the green, is another thin layer of goldish-beige.  Does that make sense?   It's 9cm tall and weighs 458g. 

I found a similar owl (though in a different colourway) in Frank's Glass Zoo labeled and signed Mdina.  My owl has not got any marks, but it has got quite a lot of wear to the base.

All thoughts welcomed.  Thank you for looking.  :hi:

[chopin-liszt]

I don't actually know when or for how long this lovely range of surface decorated pieces was produced. They mostly seem to be owls, apples or miniature bottles in various shapes - there are a few on ebay just now, easily found under a search for Mdina - but they're not always available. They make quite good money!
I've got an owl and a tiny "squashed flat" flanged bottle.

The silvery, yellowy, goldy lustre-y effects are the result of the glass and silver metal reacting (silver metal ions dissociate from the chloride ions in intense heat - it's the silver chloride salt which is used - but I don't know precisely how this particular effect was achieved.

At the moment these are filed under; "Collect now, find out about later."

[Anik R]

Thank you, Sue  :kissy:.

Before posting, I did search "owl" and "Mdina" on ebay UK, but did not come up with anything which I thought pointed me in the right direction.  I also did not see another piece with the same marble-like decoration and colours.  I guess in my excitement, I missed something.  :usd:

I really do like this owl -- the bum indentation at the top of its head adds to its quirkiness.

[rosieposie]

Hi Anik  :hi:  Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while......will put that right soon!!
In the meantime, I have one of these little owls with 'Gozo Glass' etched on the base, so the Maltese attribution seems to be accurate.
They are cute, and I am off to see if I can find where I have put him..........only about 600 pieces to look through  :wsh:

[chopin-liszt]

Could we see your Gozo one, pretty please Rosie?
My two bits are clearly inscribed Mdina.
Anik, the bits on ebay aren't owls!

http://global.ebay.com/STUNNING-MDINA-MALTESE-GLASS-VASE-SIGNED-WITH-LABEL/180679386520/item

http://global.ebay.com/3-Vasen-Mdina-Malta-1960-70/200472061729/item

http://global.ebay.com/Mdina-Design-Glas-Vase-Malta-signiert-Handarbeit/250818984092/item

[rosieposie]

Certainly Sue....I will take a pic of him....he is smaller and is clear glass with the applied colours....a bit scuffed when I bought him,  but OK as he also has a label!! (Probably means he is more modern though!)

[chopin-liszt]

Gozo was founded by Michael Harris and Leonard Mulligan (who started Phoenician glass) and Rupert Brooke as a retirement project in 1989.

I suspect this was perhaps a short-lived range at Mdina - you really don't see much of it about - and it's always expensive. The marks on my owl and flask are in different scripts - but both are scripts which are often mistaken as reading "Molina". I reckon '80s/'90s, but I could well be wrong.

Anik's owl is Mdina - right down to the bum head.

[Anik R]

Anik, the bits on ebay aren't owls!

Sue, I looked at ebay...  honestly I did... and not just for owls, but for glass with a similar design/effect.  But in my elation of being undeservedly spoilt with such lovely gifts, my eyes and brain took a momentary holiday. :spls:  I ended up overlooking what I had been looking for.

By the way, Michelle has got a similar-shaped owl, labeled Mdina, in her album:  https://picasaweb.google.com/112538457954992188877/Mdina#5582073838419219730

Rosie, I'd also like to see a photo of your Gozo owl... and Sue, may you post a picture of your owl as well?  Pretty  please...

 :hi:

[chriscooper]

A couple here Anik

https://picasaweb.google.com/107067405711297858658/PAIRTURQUISEBLUEMDINAOWLS#5533898706543758722

Had a few over the years, nice but again struggled to get anyone else to think so 

Chris

[rosieposie]

Here we go then,  but he is quite different now that I have found him....swirls of colour in clear glass:-