c. 1968–1979
Hand Made in Malta
label · black and white · glass · Malta
Label used in the late 1960s–1970s. June 1968 is the company production boundary, not a proven first-use year for this exact label.
Glass
Mdina Glass signature
Mdina Glass signature is associated with decorative glass vessels and paperweights from Ta’ Qali, Malta. Mdina was active from 1968.
- Active years
- From 1968
- Country
- Malta
- City / region
- Ta’ Qali
- Products
- decorative glass vessels, paperweights, table accessories, lighting
- Marks
- 14
Production began June 1968; ongoing. Mdina is the company name, not the precise factory location.
What to look for
- Read the whole engraved inscription. MDINA is a workshop signature; W M HARRIS or ERIC DOBSON is an additional personal signature.
- Compare the tower-and-Maltese-cross label and all wording. HANDMADE, MALTA and anniversary text distinguish label versions.
- A 1968–2018 anniversary label belongs to 2018. Earlier designs continued after Harris left, so the shape alone does not establish 1968–1972 production.
Marks & lettering
14 marks
c. 1968–1979
Made in Malta
label · black and white · glass · Malta
Label used in the late 1960s–1970s. June 1968 is the company production boundary, not a proven first-use year for this exact label.
c. 1968–1989
Mdina Glass
label · black and white · glass · Malta
Label used in the late 1960s–1980s. June 1968 is the company production boundary, not a proven first-use year for this exact label.
c. 1970–1996
Mdina Glass
label · black and white · glass · Malta
Paper label described as early 1970s to ; the start is represented by the encompassing decade.
c. 1980–1996
Mdina Glass, Malta
label · black and white · glass · Malta
Paper label used from the late 1980s to ; the start is represented by the encompassing decade. A similar white plastic label was used for factory seconds .
c. From 1996
Mdina Glass, Malta
label · white · glass · Malta
White and clear plastic label, described as used from approximately onward.
From 2013
Mdina Glass, Handmade
label · white · glass · Malta
White and clear plastic label used on larger items.
2018
label · white · glass
This 50th-anniversary label was used in 2018.
label · white · glass · Malta
White and clear plastic anniversary label; is commemorative wording, not a use interval.
Undated
Mdina Glass 1975
The pictured inscription reads Mdina Glass 1975 with Eric Dobson’s signature.
glass · Malta
Early " " with Eric Dobson's signature.
About Mdina
Michael Harris and Eric Dobson established Mdina Glass in Malta in 1968, with production beginning in June. The workshop occupied a former RAF hangar at Ta’ Qali, near the historic town of Mdina. Harris brought experience teaching industrial glass design, while experienced glassworkers and local trainees helped develop production. Free-form vessels with colours suggesting sea, sand and landscape became characteristic early products.
Harris left in 1972 and went on to establish Isle of Wight Studio Glass. Dobson continued running Mdina, and designs created during the partnership remained in production. Joseph Said, who had joined as a trainee shortly after the factory opened, became production manager in 1975 and took over ownership in 1985.
The business expanded its techniques, facilities and range under Said. His children joined during the late 1990s, and the company developed further into home accessories, lighting and functional glass. Labels and engraved signatures changed over this long production history. A Mdina signature identifies the workshop; a separate Harris or Dobson signature adds a different, personal attribution.
Also known as: M’dina Glass Limited · Mdina Glass
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Mtarfa / Valletta glass →
Related Maltese glassmaking traditions use similar colours and free-form shapes.
Read the engraved factory name or surviving label: MTARFA and VALLETTA are different signatures from MDINA.
Isle of Wight Studio Glass →
Michael Harris founded it after leaving Mdina.
A personal Harris association does not by itself select Malta. Use the workshop name, label and the complete inscription.