Items Similar to Pair of Mdina Glass Decanters with Balloon Stoppers, Carafes in Earth Tones
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16
Pair of Mdina Glass Decanters with Balloon Stoppers, Carafes in Earth Tones
About the Item
This pair of heavy and finely crafted decanters are from the Mdina Glass company and date from around the 1970s. The two carafes have a balloon-shaped stopper, which can certainly be seen as a recognition feature for the Mdina company.
They are undamaged and both signed on the underside of the base.
Mdina Glass is a manufacturer of glassware, based in Malta. It was founded in 1968 by Michael Harris, a lecturer in industrial glass design at the Royal College of Art. Attracted by various government 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. The company, Maltese Glass Industries (which soon changed to Mdina Glass), became an active glassmaking company in 1968. Mdina Glass was an instant success and soon the company was taking on local trainees to learn the craft. One of these trainees was Joseph Said, quickly impressing Harris and Dobson with his natural abilities in glassmaking. In 1971, two Italian maestros, the father and son team of Vincente and Ettore Boffo joined Mdina Glass to introduce Italian glassmaking techniques. Following independence from the UK in 1964, the Maltese government offered incentives for skilled workers and entrepreneurs from outside the island, in order to build up the industrial and commercial sectors of the economy. This included a 10-year tax holiday. Due to personal reasons, Harris left Mdina Glass in 1973, leaving Eric Dobson alone at the helm and by 1975, once promising trainee Joseph Said had climbed the ranks to become the company's Production Manager, acting as a catalyst for a number of changes, revolutionising the way the company operated and what it produced. At the end of 1967 Harris and Eric Dobson, another lecturer from the RCA, imported glassmaking equipment to Malta, and set up Maltese Glass Industries. In 1985 Eric Dobson chose to relinquish control of Mdina Glass and return to the UK. The company wasn't doing as well as it had done in previous years. Joseph Said took over and, under his control, the company went through some quick changes to remedy the commercial situation in challenging times. Said's influence was evident by 1987 when Mdina Glass won the International Award for Tradition and Prestige in Brussels. Two years later, Mdina Glass presented a glass sculpture to the Maltese Prime Minister to commemorate the Bush – Gorbechev Malta summit. In 1992, the company won the Malta Achievement in Industry Award.
Further significant changes in glassmaking techniques, production processes and product range marked the 1990s. Basic raw materials were changed for those of a much higher quality. In 1990, Mdina Glass introduced lampworking techniques to Malta, and by 1995 its artisans were also honing their skills in applying the newly introduced fusion techniques to a whole new range of products. Harris trained a number of Maltese nationals as glassmakers, employing around 15 people when the firm became established.[1] His first apprentice, Joseph Said, took over Mdina Glass (as it became known) after Harris left in 1973.[2] Joseph Said's children Olivia, Nevise, Pamela and Alan now form an integral part of the company, which employs around 50 people, from glassmakers, sales staff in the various outlets and administration. Olivia Said now holds the position of Production and Product Design Manager and has shown her passion for the craft by expanding the company's range even further. In 2012 Mdina Glass was invited to participate in an exhibition at Harrods, London entitled ‘This Is Malta’. Mdina Glass has also won the National Artisan Award over two consecutive years.
- Creator:Mdina (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.63 in (27 cm)Diameter: 3.55 in (9 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:Malta
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hamburg, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3958330120832
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2018
71 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Hamburg, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Wine Carafe with Stopper, France Around 1900Located in Hamburg, DEAntique stopper carafe from France from the years around 1900. The carafe has a bulbous body and opens into a narrow neck, which is closed by a stopper. The bulbous part of the carafe is once decorated all around with etched vines and leaves. This suggests that the carafe was probably originally intended as a wine carafe. The bead around the neck, was obviously applied by hand, clearly visible in the seams (see photos), which at first moment can be mistaken for breakage. Can be used wonderfully for wine, spirits or as an oil or vinegar dispenser...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Barware
MaterialsGlass
- Art Nouveau Seltzer Soda Syphon Bottles Set, Blue Glass, Turquoise GlassLocated in Hamburg, DEAntique siphons from France from the years around 1900. The bottles are made of thick heavy blue and turquoise glass and closures made of tin. In the cap of the blue bottle is stam...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Barware
MaterialsLead
- Very Rare Mauro Manetti "Apple" Ice Bucket from Florence, Italy, circa 1970By Mauro ManettiLocated in Hamburg, DEVery Rare Mauro Manetti Apple Ice Bucket from Florence, Italy, circa 1970 This exquisite ice bucket, shaped like a apple, is a true treasure from the 1960s. Crafted with meticulous ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Barware
MaterialsAluminum, Zinc
- Golden Mauro Manetti Pineapple Ice Bucket from Florence, Italy, circa 1970By Mauro ManettiLocated in Hamburg, DEThis exquisite ice bucket, shaped like a pineapple, is a true treasure from the 1970s. Crafted with meticulous care by the talented Italian artist Mauro Manetti in his workshop in Fl...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Barware
MaterialsAluminum, Zinc
- French Seltzer Bottle from Around 1900Located in Hamburg, DEAntique small siphon bottle from France from the years around 1900. The Seltzer bottle has a closure made of tin in which the name M. ALBARÈDE and the Fr...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Barware
MaterialsTin
- Seltzer Bottle, France around 1900Located in Hamburg, DEAntique siphon from France from the years around 1900. The bottle is made of thick heavy clear glass and has a closure made of tin. In the cap is stamped the word UINETTE and the seq...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Barware
MaterialsTin
You May Also Like
- 1940's Etched Glass Decanters With StoppersLocated in New York, NY1940's etched glass decanters with stoppers, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use.Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Barware
MaterialsGlass
- Large Ribbed Clear Glass Decanter with StopperLocated in Ferndale, MILarge substantial clear glass decanter with stopper.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsGlass
- Beautiful Pair of Steuben Crystal Decanters with StoppersBy Steuben GlassLocated in Hopewell, NJClassy pair of marked Steuben crystal decanters having twisted glass decorated stoppers. Without stopper 10" hCategory
Vintage 1960s American Barware
MaterialsCrystal
- Pair of Antique Amber Glass Liquor Decanters with Mother of Pearl StoppersLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis pair of antique amber blown glass bottle flasks, or decanters were made in circa 1870 in the period Victorian style and originate from England. These decanters are hand formed, ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Barware
MaterialsMother-of-Pearl, Blown Glass
- Crystal Decanter with 2 StoppersBy MikasaLocated in Malibu, CAThere are 2 stoppers, the original stopper has an 80's vibe or the vintage stopper I paired with the decanter both are included. The vintage stopper ha...Category
Early 20th Century Futurist Crystal Serveware
MaterialsCrystal, Sterling Silver
- Modern Smoke Glass Decanter with Red StopperBy Murano Glass SommersoLocated in Chula Vista, CAModern Smoke Glass Decanter with Red Stopper 8.63 h x 4.75 diameter Original unrestored vintage condition Refer to images provided.Category
Late 20th Century Modern Barware
MaterialsGlass
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Art On Glass
Welles Glass
Exhibition Glass
Vintage Art Craft Glasses
Art Craft Glasses Vintage
Silver London With Glass
Italian Glass Silver With Design
Glass Done
Twos Company Glass
Set Of 10 Glasses
Vintage Glass Products
Vintage Glasses London
1973 Glass
Holiday Glasses
Vintage 1971 Glass
International Silver Royal
Art Glass Glassware
Vintage Glass Decanter Set