Concentric Rings Target Ball

Honey Yellow with Amber Striations

Provenance: Ex: Ralph Finch collection, American Glass Gallery

Here is a really spectacular target ball that is somewhat of a mystery. Without any embossed copy, it is simply referred to as the “Concentric Rings Target Ball.”

Instead of smooth glass, there are three embossed ridges creating rings on opposite sides of the ball. A seventh ring is created at the equator or middle of the 2-piece mold. There are variants that run the circles starting around the mouth and going to the opposite side from the mouth. These are called “Embossed Horizontal Rings Target Balls” and are imaged above.

See the museum example of two (2) Embossed Horizontal Rings Target Balls (cobalt blue and golden amber).

This 2 5/8″ diameter target ball is in a beautiful honey-yellow glass coloration with some deeper amber striations swirled throughout. There is a rough, flared, paper-thin, sheared mouth. The condition is excellent and is considered attic mint.

The same Concentric Rings Target Ball is pictured on the cover of the American Glass Gallery – The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls catalog below.

One might be reminded of the GII-77 Concentric Ring- Eagle historical flask that is on display in the Historical Flask Gallery.

Read: What are target balls? I’m glad you asked! By Ralph Finch

Support: Reference to the American Glass Gallery, The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019

Support Primary Image: Auction Lot 571: Concentric Rings Target Ball, America, 1875 – 1900. Gorgeous honey yellow coloration with some deeper amber striations swirled throughout, 2-piece mold, rough, flared, paper-thin sheared mouth, dia. 2 5/8”, attic mint. A rare ball, spectacular and eye-appealing with the swirls and striations. Another example of a target ball that is a cut above the rest, both in character, and overall appearance. – American Glass Gallery, The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019

Support Secondary Images: Examples of vertical and horizontal ring target balls. – Jeff Wichmann, American Bottle Auctions

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