ID'd as 1850's Naked Core Onionskin NEW UPDATE

[SequoiaBET]

UPDATE: I was at the local Bay Area marble meet today and several people there felt this is a rare ghost core onionskin from the 1850's. It has been polished, but they were quite sure it is from the very early era of German handmades.

1 day latter- It is a ghost core onion skin, not a naked core cloud as I erroneously called it last night. I guess I was a bit tired when I posted the update!

 

It was part of a larger group of Germans, but it looks different than any others I have seen. But I have only seen a few hundred of them , so maybe this one isn't that unique. The pontils suggest German to me as well.

It's 3/4 inch. And is it considered a cloud?

[Roberto]

Something strange, here..

[Chad G.]

Hmmm, the pontils are rough and pitted and the rest of the marble is mirror smooth, no makers marks or anything, something's funky !!  Someone has messed with this marble IMO. I believe it has been polished and an attempt at making it appear to have pontils has been made. 

[Roberto]

Yeah, even the colors don't add up for me....hmm

To me, he is a Bulgarian...

[SequoiaBET]

Thanks folks! It seem off to me too. I agree the colors aren't typical German and also the way they sit on the base glass seemed atypical too. Adding the pontils- interesting! Never heard of that!

When you say "Bulgarian", Roberto- what do you mean? If I remember correctly, I have read about someone making marbles a while back and claiming they were vintage Bulgarian from the 60's or something like that. Are you referring to that?  If so, any more details on the story would be welcome. 

It came as part of a much larger purchase, so it only cost me a few bucks. And it came with no claims about what it was or anything.

[Roberto]

13 hours ago, SequoiaBET said:

Thanks folks! It seem off to me too. I agree the colors aren't typical German and also the way they sit on the base glass seemed atypical too. Adding the pontils- interesting! Never heard of that!

When you say "Bulgarian", Roberto- what do you mean? If I remember correctly, I have read about someone making marbles a while back and claiming they were vintage Bulgarian from the 60's or something like that. Are you referring to that?  If so, any more details on the story would be welcome. 

It came as part of a much larger purchase, so it only cost me a few bucks. And it came with no claims about what it was or anything.

 

By Bulgarian, I mean marbles produced in Bulgaria, handmade by artisans, very cheap, mostly made of shabby glass and sometimes passed off as authentic German models.

Many of these are probably also vintage, so made in the 60/70s/80s, though they could also have just been made.

Some of them can even be cute, in my opinion, you just have to buy them at the right price, though..

[SequoiaBET]

Got you. Thanks for clarifying Roberto!

[Roberto]

You're welcome

[SequoiaBET]

UPDATE: I was at the local Bay Area marble meet today and several people there felt this is a rare naked core German Cloud from the 1850's. It has been polished, but they were quite sure it is from the very early era of German handmades.

Posted here to bump it back to the top, for those who are interested.

[akroorka]

16 hours ago, SequoiaBET said:

Posted here to bump it back to the top, for those who are interested.

I am interested but it is a very strange marble to be sure.

I suggest sending some images to 

Block's Marble Auctions

This is a fun one--but!! You need a good ID here.

Marble--On!!

[SequoiaBET]

1 hour ago, akroorka said:

I am interested but it is a very strange marble to be sure.

I suggest sending some images to 

Block's Marble Auctions

This is a fun one--but!! You need a good ID here.

Marble--On!!

Correction: it was ID'd as a ghost core onion skin, not a naked core cloud as I erroneously called it last night. I guess I was a bit tired when I posted the update! My bad.

Thanks @akroorka The local folks who did the in hand ID are trusted names in the marble community, so I am inclined to trust their ID. But I will send pics to Block too to see what they say too.