m!b$ Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 http://www.ebay.com/...=item43b11feff3 I'm guessing contemp. And if someone is going to polish a marble, I wish they would do it so the end result is round, not oval with pointed ends. http://www.ebay.com/...=item46050b2b64 Or even worse, oblong or misshapen. http://www.ebay.com/itm/089-POLISHED-1-7-8-Antique-German-Handmade-Onionskin-Cloud-/300732330645?pt=Marbles&hash=item46050b3295 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speed Racer Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 They all look old to me. I think most buffing is done by hand and leaves the pontils intact and an out of round might stay out of round. Polishing is usually machine-done which creates a nearly perfect orb as you describe. Polishing totally removes the original pontils and the marbles won't necessarily fetch as much at auction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 First (If not contemp) appears an example of what happens when the polishing get into the colored glass of the marble.(pontil looks very questionable) the polishing done with hand pads and lapidary equipment will often give these gross results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m!b$ Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Somebody sure liked it alot, contemporary/bad polishing job or not. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item43b11feff3&item=290734469107&nma=true&pt=Marbles&rt=nc&si=UgylagE%252Bto0OUlwwPj1x08FNM4g%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m!b$ Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Hey, I got an idea! Why don't we do a really bad polishing job on some old beat-up handmade, so it looks peculiar, and thereby give people the idea that it's really RARE and VALUABLE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 It is a new/contemporary piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m!b$ Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 That was my first thought. Guess that makes it even less valuable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speed Racer Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 What makes you think it is a contemp? Just trying to learn something about the questionable pontils that I'm not seeing. It sounds as if you have already held this mib or that you actually made this mib. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 What makes you think it is a contemp? Just trying to learn something about the questionable pontils that I'm not seeing. It sounds as if you have already held this mib or that you actually made this mib. From my years of collecting handmades: 1. The frit colors are inconsistent with antique methods 2. The clear glass appears a bit too clear/bright. 3. The frit method is inconsistent with antique methods 4. The pontil show in the second photo right is not consistent with vintage methods And from a qualitative standpoint - the piece just looks wrong in almost all respects. For me - it isn't even close to an antique piece. Plenty of these types made by volume producers to sell in gift shops today for $25 retail. There is a gift shop near the Pentagon that has an entire window of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speed Racer Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 I believe you only please explain why a contemp would be sporting the remains of a ground pontil after, of course, they go to the trouble of polishing/buffing. Or is what I'm seeing as the remnants of a ground pontil actually minute air bubbles? (click on the pic) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 I believe you only please explain why a contemp would be sporting the remains of a ground pontil after, of course, they go to the trouble of polishing/buffing. Or is what I'm seeing as the remnants of a ground pontil actually minute air bubbles? (click on the pic) Both pontils look fire polished to me - one seems to be sort of hastily done and uneven. I'm not sure the piece is round at the pontil (second in left column). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Yes,, that pontil just looks way wrong for vintage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speed Racer Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Wow thanks. Shame on Granpa. I see the fire polish now. He fooled four HM collectors and myself. Pity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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