vintage Mdina Glass studio vase from Malta, dating to around the 1980s,

A striking vintage Mdina Glass studio vase from Malta, dating to around the 1980s, with wonderfully rich layers of fiery red, amber, earthy brown and deep blue-black glass.

Displayed with other items illustration only not included

Please do not confuse this with inferior copies or in the style of attributed to etc !!! This is a genuine mdina vase with very rare original paper label and mdina engraving to base. The weight marks etc tell you this is totally original!!! I have seen similar vases advertised at well over £200??!!! A Stunning statement piece

The tall cylindrical form has a gently flared rim and a heavily worked, tactile surface, with irregular raised and indented areas creating an almost bark-like texture. Within the glass are sweeping trails, tiny bubbles and overlapping bands of colour which give the piece tremendous depth, particularly when displayed where the light can pass through it.

The colouring and decoration appear closely related to Mdina’s red and blue trailed or “random strapped” glass produced during the 1980s. As with much Mdina studio glass, the decoration is wonderfully organic rather than uniform, making each piece individual.

A particularly nice feature is that this example retains its original Mdina Glass foil label to the body. The polished base is also engraved “Mdina”, giving two useful forms of identification.

Maker History

Mdina Glass was established in Malta in 1968 by British designers Michael Harris and Eric Dobson. The studio became one of the best-known names in Maltese art glass, producing hand-worked pieces characterised by bold Mediterranean colours, organic forms and experimental surface treatments.

Michael Harris left Malta in 1972 and later established Isle of Wight Studio Glass in Britain. Mdina continued under Eric Dobson and subsequently Joseph Said, one of the studio’s original craftsmen. During the 1980s Mdina introduced a number of vibrant red, orange and blue designs incorporating trailing and strapping techniques, of which this vase appears to be an attractive example.

The engraved Mdina signature is a factory/workshop mark rather than an individual artist’s signature, so we would not attribute this particular piece to Michael Harris himself.

Measurements

Approximately 23 cm tall x 13 cm diameter.

Condition

Good vintage condition with expected signs of age and handling. There are surface scratches and movement marks to the polished underside of the base, as shown in the photographs. No obvious chips or cracks are visible.

The original Mdina label remains attached and naturally shows some age-related wear.

Small bubbles, colour variations and irregularities within the glass are characteristic of hand-worked studio glass and form part of its appeal rather than being manufacturing faults.

Why We Love It

This is a particularly atmospheric piece of Mdina glass. The colours move from glowing amber and burnt orange through deep ruby tones into almost smoky blue-black towards the base, while the textured body catches and distorts the light beautifully.

At 23 cm tall it also has enough scale to make a real decorative statement, whether displayed alone or alongside a collection of mid-century and studio glass.

Maker: Mdina Glass

Origin: Malta

Date: Circa 1980s

Material: Hand-worked art glass

Colours: Red, amber, brown and deep blue/black

Size: Approx. 23 cm tall x 13 cm diameter

Marks: Engraved “Mdina” to base with original Mdina Glass foil label