Mdina Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
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Mdina Glass was founded in the Maltese town of Mdina, in 1968 by Michael Harris and Eric Dobson, a risky venture at the time as Mdina had no history of glass making. However the gamble paid off, and Mdina glass was an instant success. The company produced free formed organic glassware, often in colours inspired from the sea, sand, earth and sky, which proved very popular with tourists in Malta. Vicente Boffo and his son Ettore joined in 1969, having previously worked at Whitefriars. Two other workers at the factory were brothers Joseph Said and Paul Said, who started as trainees. In 1972 Michael left Mdina, and formed a new company, Isle of Wight Studio Glass, on the Isle of Wight in the UK, leaving Eric Dobson in charge of Mdina. Many of the designs created by Michael Harris continued to be made at Mdina Glass after he left, and new designs and patterns were added. In 1981, Paul Said left to form Mtarfa Glass, also in Malta. Eric Dobson sold the Mdina factory to Joseph Said, who was Michael's most skilled apprentice, in 1985. From the mid 1990's, Joseph was joined by his four children, Nevise, Olivia, Pamela and Alan, in various roles. The company is still active today.
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Ming Pattern
The Ming pattern was introduced in the mid 1970's, and was in production into the 1990's. Reference: Michael Harris: Mdina Glass and Isle of Wight Studio Glass book, page 50.
A blue & green Maltese glass cube vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass vase, made by Eric Dobson for Mdina in 1975, with artists signature and date. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass vase, made by Mdina in 1983, signed and dated. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass bowl or posy vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, unsigned. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass cylindrical vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass bottle vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass decorative bottle, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, unsigned. Made in the Ming pattern.
A blue & green Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Ming pattern.
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Mdina Glass on eBay UK
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Mdina Glass on eBay USA
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Reference Websites
For more information on Mdina glass, check out the following resources:
Mdina Glass Catalogue - A catalogue of Mdina glass including pattern numbers, sizes and some pattern names, by Austin, a USA distributer.