B-rett66 Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 So my daughter and I was browsing an antique shop and I happened to see these and thought they may be German handmade marbles. Still relatively new to collecting I sent pictures to my son and he confirmed they were probably handmade. After getting them out of the case, I noticed, they all had flat spots on them like someone had ground them to make paperweights. To make a long story short, they are were put on high end, piano stool legs. Most were just clear glass. I’m happy to say I had a collector look at them says they are truly German made Laticina swirls maybe not worth as much as they would be without the flat spots, but still collectible. B-rett 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Four at once ... nice display Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-rett66 Posted November 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Also I forgot to mention I was told that these are all from the same cane 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Nice set and very interesting. I have seen marbles used in legs on a variety of different furniture pieces but I am not sure I've seen them with a large flat spot like these. I wonder if the flat part was in contact with the floor or the leg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-rett66 Posted November 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Not sure if they were ground at the factory or from use. That would take some more research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-rett66 Posted November 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Not sure if they were ground at the factory or from use. That would take some more research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akroorka Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 4 hours ago, B-rett66 said: So my daughter and I was browsing an antique shop Nice find B-rett66. I have seen similar marbles encased in a cast iron claw that was a leg for a table. Usually these are transparent with no design inside like yours. I have seen pictures of sulphide marbles used in the same manner. It is hard to believe that someone got these out of a cast iron claw foot without damaging them. Check the marbles for any wear that may invole them being encased in a cast iron claw. These may have been used for something else that I am not aware of. Nice find!! Marble--On!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Is there any reason to think these aren't just a nice set of paperweights? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-rett66 Posted November 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 A dealer in Florida has several and thinks because of the condition they were never installed on anything. I can’t find any scratches what so ever on them. What I did notice is one has an edge chipped off the flat spot which would have made an imperfect flat surface which if used would have made a “wobble”. Being that they were a set of four now they have defected set. I guess they could have used them on a three legged stool but at the time was making four legged stools. Just thinking outside the box. The craftsman put them away to use later and forgot about them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-rett66 Posted November 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 There is probably a half dozen stories that could be told about them. I had an awesome time with my daughter the day we discovered them. We were excited and disappointed at the same time because of the condition. Even if they are worthless they are beautiful to us and will stay together and used for something. I can’t put a price on the time I’ve spent with my kids the last several months looking for and researching marbles we have found. B-rett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'llhavethat1 Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 Neato Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 4 hours ago, B-rett66 said: Even if they are worthless ... Not worthless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 This thread is bomber. I’d like to throw in a few pics here of 2 casters I have. These were attached to legs. I just don’t know what legs the piece is attached to🔥 RAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 I hope I’m not being seen as a HighJacker here in this thread. I hope my examples can some how fit in here🔥 RAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-rett66 Posted November 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 Fire1981, I wouldn’t call it a high jacked , it’s taking the thread to the next level. Lately I’ve seen dozens of stools, tables and early kitchen appliances with the clear spheres but very few with the handmade swirles. Make me wonder what was so special about the piece they were used on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akroorka Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 9 hours ago, B-rett66 said: Make me wonder what was so special about the piece they were used on. Hmmm, maybe a wooden claw foot table that rotted out? Marble--On!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 I think these weren’t damaged marbles from the very beginning. They are all cut exactly the same. I think the intent was to present the best pontil out of what looks like “same cane” marbles. 🔥 RAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 I’m thinking a set of Paperweights. 🔥 RAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 The UV Pop is a big plus for sure🔥 RAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akroorka Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 1 minute ago, Fire1981 said: I’m thinking a set of Paperweights. 🔥 I will not swallow paper weights on these. One I may agree--but four? Marble--On!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 A set of 4 does change this. If it was just one I would think a paper weight would kinda seal the deal. I’m chasing the idea of what kind of vessel would be made to present them pontils up and not on the floor🔥 RAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-rett66 Posted November 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 They will be displaying somehow not sure how yet. The wheels are turning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted November 17, 2023 Report Share Posted November 17, 2023 Mine too 🔥 RAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted November 17, 2023 Report Share Posted November 17, 2023 2 hours ago, akroorka said: I will not swallow paper weights on these. One I may agree--but four? A desk set - why not? You should see the organized stacks of paper on my desk. 😀 I don't think they were for feet. What would be the point of grinding them flat? I have seen all kinds of feet on all kinds of things and I have never seen any that were ground flat. Regardless, I think it's safe to say they did not want them to roll. 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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