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.