hdesousa Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 Often misnamed mochaware carpet balls (more accurately carpet bowls, for use in bowling), these are probably neither. A prominent English antique pottery dealer describes them as " Decorated agateware balls, English late 18th century. Excellent condition and probably only intended as a decorative accessory. They replicate marble metamorphic spheres popularly acquired as souvenirs by the gentry and upper middle classes from the "Grand Tour" which was much in fashion in the 18thc." Most are indeed found in good condition, obviously not having been treated as toys. Largest is 4" (c.100 mm) diameter, center top. Ball in the upper left is probably the only non-English one. Stoneware from American Marble and Toy, Akron, OH, pre 1905. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'llhavethat1 Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 Some of those remind me of 5-pin bowling, lol The geometric ones are neat, what's the story on those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdesousa Posted December 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 22 minutes ago, I'llhavethat1 said: Some of those remind me of 5-pin bowling, lol The geometric ones are neat, what's the story on those? Not much is known about these things. They were bought from an embellished listing : "Dated: 1780 to 1800 Staffordshire England Four rare and various sized agateware earthenware pottery decorative balls. They are expertly made with elaborate designs within circular motifs featuring star shapes. The design and detail of these pieces are spectacular and exude stunning decorative appeal. The largest is 3.5 inches diameter the smallest 2.5 inches. Diameter: 3.5 inches Current Condition: No restoration with only minor abrasions related to age. Provenance: Private Collection Cotswolds England" Not sure how much of that is fact. A similar one was talked about here several years ago: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'llhavethat1 Posted December 12, 2019 Report Share Posted December 12, 2019 Pretty impressive gathering. What part do the figures play? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdesousa Posted December 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2019 20 minutes ago, I'llhavethat1 said: Pretty impressive gathering. What part do the figures play? Oh, they're 12 anthropomorphic boxwood carvings the Chinese zodiac, each associated with one specific protector Buddhist deity. https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/8-zodiac-protectors.shtml I don't understand any of it, but they're supposed to protect my balls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romanoak Posted December 12, 2019 Report Share Posted December 12, 2019 Hansel, great group. I have a couple never knew as much about them. I think you are supposed to put the carvings in your pockets for them to be effective. If I can get organized will post pics. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblebee Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 Wow some of those are quite mesmerizing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mibstified Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 Hansel, I have seen your previous posts years ago sampling your amazing collection of these agateware balls. I have since been looking for any example of them in the wild and on the bay and only found one that "might" be considered a distant cousin to these really coll orbs. Thank you for sharing this really cool group pic again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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