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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Tiger / Marble Pattern
The Tiger pattern was introduced in the mid 1970's by Eric Dobson. Later renamed Marble. Reference: Michael Harris: Mdina Glass and Isle of Wight Studio Glass book, page 52.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass flared vase, by Mdina, signed & labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass cylinder vase, by Mdina, signed & labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass decorative bottle, by Mdina, pattern number 9006, signed & numbered. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass flattened vase, by Mdina. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass ovoid vase, by Mdina. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass ovoid vase, by Mdina, labelled . Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass rectangular vase, by Mdina. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass square bowl, by Mdina. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass wavy bowl, by Mdina, labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass paperweight sculpture, by Mdina. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass cube vase, by Mdina. Signed to base "Mdina Glass 1976" with Eric Dobson's signature. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass cube vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A blue & sandy brown Maltese glass Fish or Axe Head vase in the Tiger pattern. Made by Mdina, signed "Mdina 1978". Probably made by Joseph Said.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass ovoid vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese frosted glass Lollipop vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass squat vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A sandy brown and turquoise blue Maltese glass vase, by Mdina, signed and labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A blue and sandy brown Maltese glass egg shaped paperweight, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A blue and sandy brown Maltese glass egg shaped paperweight, by Mdina, signed. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A large blue and sandy brown Maltese glass perfume bottle, by Mdina, labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A large blue and sandy brown Maltese glass decorative bottle, by Mdina, signed & labelled. Made in the Tiger pattern.
A blue and sandy brown Maltese glass paperweight, by Mdina, signed & labelled. Made in the Tiger 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.