Imitation Agate Balls?

[hdesousa]

It's been suggested that what I've been calling agateware carpet balls may not be carpet balls, since every ball is different and in a game it would be difficult to distinguish the balls of the different players. (In the traditional game, one team used say plaid decorated balls and the other team maybe sponge decorated balls)

However, these things are found with marbles and with traditional carpet balls.

Here is a picture of three "imitation" agate balls, and one genuine, hand faceted, antique, made in Germany agate ball that came as a decorative piece as part of a small bronze sculpture.

Do you think these ceramic balls were made as decorative, imitation agate pieces, or as game balls/toys of some kind?

[MC Marbles]

I'm not sure about the real agate one, but I feel the imitation ones were probably used as some sort of game ball.

Just my opion from 30+ years of selling Antiques.

[lstmmrbls]

I would have to know how they behaved if smashed together before coming to any conclusion. So take one in each hand hold arms as far apart as possible and as quickly as you can bring them together in one swift motion in front of you, Now remove shard from eyes and face and take a picture of the damage to the balls. Ooops I forgot to say wear safety glasses

[hdesousa]

I would have to know how they behaved if smashed together before coming to any conclusion. So take one in each hand hold arms as far apart as possible and as quickly as you can bring them together in one swift motion in front of you, Now remove shard from eyes and face and take a picture of the damage to the balls. Ooops I forgot to say wear safety glasses

What'sa matter - getting cabin fever? Severe case of S.A.D.?

Suck on a couple balls - CA opaques work best - you'll feel better, and if lucky, they may hatch before Easter.

[godown]

I thought " bonce about " was interesting Mainly due to the size and the reference to agate

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=adEBAAAAQAAJ&dq=games%20of%20marbles&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q=games%20of%20marbles&f=false

[lstmmrbls]

Sorry Hansel if you thought I was getting personal. I was trying to be funny and I guess it didn't translate properly. I should have said I would like to take a couple of them and do that to them. I certainly did not mean to make it sound like I wanted you dto get injured or destroy the items because they were yours. I see know it looks that way and I apologize. Which color opaques?

[hdesousa]

I thought " bonce about " was interesting Mainly due to the size and the reference to agate

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=adEBAAAAQAAJ&dq=games%20of%20marbles&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q=games%20of%20marbles&f=false

Interesting article, thanks for posting. Wonder how big the "bonce about" marbles were?

Also interesting because the different types of marbles are discussed. Clay marbles, not being round, were hardly worth shooting.

"Dutch" marbles, probably a misnomer for Deutsch (i.e. German) marbles (which sound like limestone and dyed limestone marbles ) were the "honest workable marble".

Alley-taws, or marbles made of marble, were the preferred shooter, and agate marbles were too expensive to even be considered playing marbles.

No mention of glass nor porcelain marbles, which is strange. Google says the book is from 1863,when glass as well as stoneware and china marbles were available.