Mdina ‘Earth’ or ‘Earth Tones’ Design Globular Vase No. 4719 with Original Sticker

This is a classic example of a handmade glass vase from the ‘Earth’ or ‘Earth Tones’ range produced by Mdina Glass and dating from the mid-1970s.

The vase is made from thick glass encasing a central layer of pale yellow-green that is swirled with a band of streaked brown. This colourway was achieved by adding nitrate to the clear glass and then streaking with red trails.

The vase is of globular form, tapering in towards the narrow aperture at the top. It also narrows in towards the base, which is polished flat and hand engraved with the word ‘MDINA’.

In addition, it bears the original paper label, which bears the Maltese Cross logo and the words ‘MDINA GLASS’. This label was introduced in the 1970s and appeared to be in use until about 1996.

This piece appears on page 98 of the book ‘LEGACY: 50 Years of Mdina Glass’ produced by Mark Warner. It is mentioned that the name ‘Earth Tones’ is one given to the colourway by collectors but that the official name by Mdina was in fact ‘Earth’. It is believed this confusion has arisen due to the fact that the glass company MDG also had a similar range that they called ‘Earth Tones’.

The vase has a height of approximately 11.8cm, with a diameter across the top of about 3.2cm and across the polished base of about 4.0cm.

It has an unwrapped weight of 730g.

It is in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks.