1979 Mdina 'Tiger' Series, Blue, Cream, Yellow and Russet, Faceted Art Glass Bottle Vase, Signed

THE ITEM
Fish head, Hammerhead, Axe head, Angelfish are all acceptable names which have been used interoperably for this beautiful piece of art glass craftsmanship. I absolutely love the way the light filters through the translucent coppery glass and how the tiny bubbles rest on the pale sandy layers. If you've not yet realised, I'm talking about the Mdina Earthtones colour design, which does indeed look like beautiful layers of strata.

As the eyes draw back, you can see the marvellous technique in which the clear glass casing was applied, enveloping the core in a 'V' at either side of the neck. There are a few smooth creases and trailing detail that amplifies the organic vibe. I could go on ... but tis best appreciated in person, in a visual and tactile manner - this beauty weighs in at over 2kg!

This piece of art glass would storm any display but I feel featuring it on its own and somewhere where it could catch the sunlight during different times of the day would do it best justice. Of course, you could also try and use it as a 'vase' but given that the rim only measures 5mm wide, it would need to be 1 flower and one with a thin stem ...

CONDITION

Excellent. Not a scratch, chip or crack to the main body of the vase. There is 1 original 'Mdina Glass' sticker to one side and a sticker mark on the other, a few movement marks on the base - commensurable with age but apart from that, there's only the etched 'Mdina' signature and '1981', the year it was made.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 10" / 25 cm tall (from the centre of the rim to base) x c 8.2" / 21 cm wide (across its widest point)

Unpackaged weight: c. 2.5 kg / 2,549 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Mdina glassware was founded in 1968 by Michael Harris, a lecturer in industrial glass design at the Royal College of Art. Attracted by incentives offered by newly independent Malta, Eric Dobson and Michael Harris (Royal College of Art colleagues) ventured out to Mediterranean island from the UK with the aim of opening Malta's first ever glassware manufacturer, which they achieved spectacularly.

THE ITEM
Presenting a interstellar example of the Pulled Ears or 'Poppa' Vase by Michael Harris' Mdina studio.
The unusual shape of this vase with 'ears' at the shoulder and knee height of the vase is an iconic design, coupled with the button top rim, this piece was made to take pride of place on display.

One of the things I love most about art glass is that a simple beam of afternoon sunshine striking the glass can open up the most beautiful effects and colours across the surface of the glass. And if the light is strong enough, it passes through the glass and its colours to dance along the wall behind it.

The sunlight on the afternoon the photos were taken wasn't particularly bright but enough to highlight the swirls, iridescence and natural bubbles in the glass. During one of the shots, I fancied I could see the sun setting on the horizon of an alien planet and in another, the swirling of stars across the galaxy. But you be the judge, I've tried to capture what I describe as best as possible in the photo's.

CONDITION

Excellent. Not a scratch, chip or crack to the main body of the vase. There are a few movement marks on the base, commensurable with age but apart from that, there's only the 'Mdina' signature on the base.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 6" / 15 cm tall (from flat of rim to base) x c 2" / 5 cm wide (across its widest point)

Unpackaged weight: c. 1.2 kg / 1,198 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Mdina glassware was founded in 1968 by Michael Harris, a lecturer in industrial glass design at the Royal College of Art. Attracted by incentives offered by newly independent Malta, Eric Dobson and Michael Harris (Royal College of Art colleagues) ventured out to Mediterranean island from the UK with the aim of opening Malta's first ever glassware manufacturer, which they achieved spectacularly.