Quilted Diamond Pattern Target Ball (German)

Quilted Diamond Pattern Target Ball

German

Sapphire Blue with Prussian Blue Tone

Provenance: Ex: Ralph Finch Collection, American Glass Gallery

Here is an exquisite German ball that is categorized as a “Quilted, Diamond Pattern Target Ball” circa 1875 to 1900. The glass color is a beautiful sapphire blue with a bit of a Prussian-blue tone. The quilted diamond pattern is above and below a plain center band meaning there is no embossed typography on the center band. It is a 2-piece mold with a rough sheared mouth and measures 2-5/8″ in diameter. The example is in perfect condition and is considered an exceptionally rare mold that is rarely seen or available in auctions.

The Bogardus Glass Ball on the left below would have been the inspiration for the design of our German ball represented on the right. Both have a quilted diamond pattern above and below a centered band. The Bogardus ball has embossed copy on the band while the band on the German ball is smooth. Besides color, note the many differences with the diamond pattern, center band height, and mouth.

Primary Image: German Quilted Diamond Pattern Target Ball imaged on location by Alan DeMaison, FOHBC Virtual Museum Midwest Studio

Primary Museum Image: Auction Lot 741: Quilted, Diamond Pattern Target Ball, Germany, 1875-1900. Beautiful sapphire with a bit of a Prussian-blue tone, quilted diamond pattern above and below plain center band, 2-piece mold, rough sheared mouth, dia. 2 5/8”, perfect. A very pretty target ball in an exceptionally rare mold. This mold rarely becomes available, and Ralph emphasized the rarity of this particular ball in his notes. – The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts–2017-2019, John Pastor and American Glass Gallery

Secondary Museum Image: Auction Lot 750: Quilted, Diamond Pattern Target Ball, Germany, or possibly America, 1875 – 1900. Bright teal, or emerald coloration, quilted diamond pattern above and below plain center band, 2-piece mold, ground mouth, dia. 2 5/8”, virtually attic mint. The pattern is similar, but distinctly different from Lot 741, the scarce German ball. It is also similar from Lots 561 and 562, the American balls that only come with ground mouths. A beautiful, rare color. Ex. Alex Kerr collection. – The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019, John Pastor and American Glass Gallery

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