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Michael Harris: Mdina Glass and Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Presented by Mark Hill
Our lecturer, Mark Hill (often seen on the Antiques Road Show) gave a fascinating and enlightening talk on Michael Harris, a glass designer, who founded Mdina Glass and then subsequently, Isle of Wight Studio Glass.  Harris was a pioneer of studio glass, innovative and always experimenting.  After graduating in 1955, he joined the Royal College of Arts and studied industrial glass.  He was known as “Tappy” Harris because of the way he would tap at the glass surface to produce his unique designs.

In 1968 he, his wife Elizabeth and their two young boys, left to live on the island of Malta and they set up their own glass making business, Mdina Glass.  Harris was also very good at marketing and produced high end giftware, unique pieces that were extremely popular with tourists visiting the island.  The company was instantly successful and pieces were sold in stores around the world including in Italy (competing with Venetian glass) and in Heals in the UK. 

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In the studio Harris was able to continue experimenting with his designs based on the mediterranean colours he saw around him.  His glass was textured, bobbly, uneven and colourful.  His hallmark piece, for which he is so well known, is the iconic “Fish” vase.  It is a difficult piece to produce with wings wrapped around the vase, all in glass.  There are variations on the form but all are tactile, comfortable designs in the shape of a Mantaray – thus giving it the name of “The Fish”.  These vases today could fetch £1500-£2000.  Following on from this was “The Crizzlestone” which developed from the “Fish” vase.  There are known to be only 40 of them in existence which increases their value to around £4,200. 

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By 1972 Mdina Glass was being exported all across the world as far as Japan.  Then, Malta wanted the British to leave and Michael and his family had to go.  They moved to another island, the Isle of Wight, and immediately set up a studio near Ventnor.  Many of Harris’ designs were influenced by Malta, “Seaward”, “Aurine” and “Tortoiseshell” were all very successful and popular designs in the late 1970s. 

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In 1978 came Harris’ big break with his “Azurene” glass design, where gold and silver leaf are added to glass.  This design reflected the fashion of the 1980s and the glass sold very well, which led to the studio expanding and more staff were employed. 

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From 1980 Harris’ family started to join the business, his boys Timothy and Jonathan and his wife Elizabeth.  Between 1985 and 2010 their designs could be seen in the glass based on the sea, land and nightscapes.  The studio had global success and there would often be a six-month waiting list to have a piece made.  Timothy’s designs were very progressive and abstract.  Jonathan’s were more linear based on older design influences.

Michael Harris then decides to retire and his sons took over the business.  He moved to Gozo, an island of Malta where he died in 1994.  He was the first British studio glassmaker and the first to commercialise glassmaking.  He understood business and marketing and was never afraid to try and push himself.  A true pioneer and artist.

Vicki Cowan

© 2025 The Arts Society Alton

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