Shamrock Marbles

Alan, Thank you. I was hoping that you saw Dan Ambrose make them with a copper pipe. Like a personal witness to history. I remember hearing stories of people doing marble making demos in hotel rooms with carpet. I think those are the "good ol' days"? John

Alan, That is neat. Never seen the tube used before. Just to be clear, are you saying that is how Dan Ambrose made those or how you saw another artist make theirs? I've seen (and made) them using the cane/drip technique and murrini technique. Never used a tube. Bo Stiff made awesome popeyes. Maybe someone saw him make those and would comment. Thanks! John

My condolences to family and friends. Whenever someone passes, I like to read their old posts. It never fails to bring a smile. I got a chuckle with his joke about 4 marble collectors in Cambridge. Go look and enjoy his posts! John

Corundum mill balls are molded and heat fused for strength (sintered). The molding process leaves a ring around the equator. This ring wears down/off as it is used. https://www.unionprocess.com/grinding-media.html#nonmetallic This is just speculation, but I looks as if someone attempted using enamels to decorate the surface. https://thompsonenamel.com/ To make the powder enamel stick to the surface, it is mixed with a wetting agent to become like a paint. The lack of surface porosity of the ball mill resists the attachment or even spreading of the enamel paint. Hence, the splotchy appearance. Once painted, the ball is placed on a 3-point stand (trivet) and then quickly kiln fired. Or just placed on a kiln shelf with release or on a kiln shelf paper. As always, your mileage may vary. John

Like your other marble, I believe this is a Cuneo Furnace (Steven Maslach). https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/cuneo-furnace-handmade-marble-steven-maslach-16 John

This looks like a Cuneo Furnace (Steven Maslach) marble. I believe Cuneo is no longer in operation. They made beautiful latts with delicate features. Not only did they make marbles, they made eggs and hearts. Look for short marble canes with a semi formed marble at one end. John

Steph, I understand. You answered the question in a generic term. I had no difference of opinion to your answer. I should have answered that I agreed that it has a road and tunnel structure (design), but further qualified that it is not a "Road & Tunnel" by Chris Robinson. My response was more pointed to eliminate any ambiguity or speculation. Thanks for all your work! John

Chris, Thank you for the official clarification. John

General question: Regardless of the sales support story, if someone said that marble was 5/8" or 11/16" diameter, what manufacturer would you attribute? John

99.5% confident, that the marble in your link is NOT a Chris Robinson Road & Tunnel Slag. 1) Cut-Line: Shear-mark is atypical to a R&T. 2) Shape: Linked marble is much rounder (spherical) than an average R&T. 3) Color: I don't recall Chris making green slags of this color variant. Looking at all bodies of work in the marble world, does this color closely match known samples by MFC, CA, Akro, Pelt, etc? 4) Pattern: R&T have more defined striations. Chris took the time to manipulate the glass to enhance the patterning. See other samples in this post. Looking at all bodies of work in the marble world, does this pattern closely match known samples by MFC, CA, Akro, Pelt, etc? 5) As always, Chris would be the final answer. John

Craig, thanks for the support. (Insert censored Emoji here.) To win a game you only need 7 of the thirteen. If you ran the first seven straight, would they let you go to see if you could get them all? Channeling, Scott McBride... John

Aren't there 13 marbles in the ring? If you got them all in one run to win a game, this pin was given to recognize your feat. Equivalent to running the table in a pool game or a 300 in bowling. Just a guess. John

Vitro marble machine at Wheaton Village. John

Merry Xmas!

Alan, There is more information: My wife confirmed the origin. However, I did just what you suggested and sent them an email. After doing so, I learned their barn studio suffered a devastating fire late December 2017. They lost everything (finished inventory, office equipment, glass equipment, etc.), but no one was physically hurt. There was (and still is) a GoFundMe to raise money to get their studio up and running. https://www.gofundme.com/besett-vermont-glass-studio-fire Since the fire, they have been fighting to get their business and lives back in order. With all things considered, I felt like a total jack-a$$ with my trivial inquiry. They have more important things to do with their time, than answer stupid emails. So, we'll leave it at that. The Harry Besett & Ken Leslie collaborations are totally awesome. There are Harry Besett, Ken Leslie and Josh Simpson collaborations (e.g., "Planet Swallower"). There are Harry Besett, Wendy Besett and Josh Simpson collaborations. Your wonderful orb is a Besett & Leslie collaboration titled "Sweeny Todd". http://www.vtglass.com/marbles/artspherescollaboration.htm Thanks for your help, John

Anyone who has tried to write their name on glass with a spinning diamond engraver know how difficult it can be to get good results let alone consistency. The tool just wants to catch and bounce. Hence, the skipping of the lines. Add the complexity of a small object with a curved surface. What a pain!! The best engraved signature is done by Mark Matthews. Even his micro-signatures on collaboration marbles are precise! I understand why artists have gone to titanium pens or used signature canes. John Mark Matthews Collaboration "Beach Ball" Marble (1-5/16" Diameter)

"Range of Variation" in Besett signatures on three different candle sticks. Even with that range, the "B" and "tt" backstroke cross loop are distinguishable. I am not a handwriting expert, but you can see he writes his last name in three sections "B", "es", then "ett". John

Yes, I attended those shows, too. Came as a visitor in 2004. Had a table the remaining years until the end. Paul Katherman has worked hard to resurrect the show (my apologies to anyone else if not properly credited). About the signatures on the two marbles... I'm 100% sure they are made by Harry Besett. What tripped me up, was I just looked at the signatures a few weeks ago. I kept seeing in my mind the name "BraD". A mental red herring. After posting, it hit me. Royal's post had a link, but no signature for Besett. Ebay had some Besett candlesticks. All three are signed Besett with a "range of variation". The end stroke and return loop to cross the double "tt" are in all signatures. The "B" exhibit the same stroking angles. The middle of the marble signatures are shortened due to the size (0.313" long) and surface curvature. Besides all that stuff, I forgot that they were gifted to my kids. Blue for the boy and pink ribbon for the girl. Do you have signatures on your Besett marbles to share? John

Thanks for sharing your opinion! I like how you put "did" in italics. Do you have any suggestion(s) to attribution? John

Found a candlestick set on Ebay. Considering that the signature has to fit on a 0.7" diameter marble, I believe these to be a match. John Besett Signature

Royal, Thanks for the link! Well. I think I answered my own question. I believe these marbles to be made by Harry Besett. The last loop is not a "D", but a return stroke to finish the "tt". Picked up at Wheaton Village Marble Show 2005 or 2006. Thanks! John