I have seen the small version of drilled marbles before, arrived from the Burma - Thailand area. You can spot them in a group. But whatever Danny does, Danny does it best, and I have no idea if (or whom) has successfully drilled the large marbles before. Huge Applause, looking forward to seeing it, Fred and Danny!

Bonpo,
At this time I have collected quite a few very large German marbles, most are in bad shape and will need quite a bit of work to bring them up to their best, usually they come out more striking than the original because I do my best to get the outer glass layer as even as possible. When these marbles were made it was by hand so they are somewhat out of balance regarding color layers and such.

If I were trying to fool people to think these were from the African trade I would do as little work as possible and make my hole somewhat different than I am, there are ways to make things look old and if I were to do things right I think even most experts would be fooled.

I am wanting to take something wonderful and make it a little more wonderful. I will be signing and dating all of the marbles that I do all of the work on, also on some of the best I may line the holes with fine silver or fine gold. This said I expect that there will be collectors out there that want to own one of my reworks just as much as they want to own a German marble from the African trade.

All my best ............ Danny

P.S. Below is an image of a marble as purchased, it is quite large over 52 mm 2 inch, needless to say it is in pretty bad shape.

I like your professional work and the artistic feeling you have for them.
and I would very much want to own one too.
thanks

As Joyce mentions, drilling old marbles is not a new idea. And the reason marbles have not been drilled more often, is because the skill and patience required for drilling glass spheres is rarely available.

Occasionally I have run across some old drilled ones—most likely from Burma. Routinely, the drill bit comes out off center on the opposite side. And, of course, there is always the risk of cracking the bead—especially on a huge marble.

I would prefer to find a bead which has not been adapted or damaged and repaired. The German marble beads which are in better condition have usually come from Burma. The ones in worst condition commonly come from the African trade.

Some of the best ones from my collection are pictured on the cover of the new edition of The History of Beads. Not repaired, nearly flawless German marble beads are seldom available anymore.

When I receive the marble/bead, I will post an image. I am very much looking forward to seeing it.

Sincerely, Fred

The old handsome marble -given a new life as a spellbinding bead- arrived today. And I am thrilled that I will be able to wear this hypnotic center piece as a focal point in a drop-dead gorgeous design.

I must admit that I struggle over everything artistic and often feel uncertain of my choices or decisions. Therefore, I tend to place trust in the expertise and intuition of fine artists like Danny Lopacki.

I remember first seeing his work on a strand of opal beads that he had cut, drilled, and matched for his wife. Ever since, I have hoped that someday he would do something great for me. And now, I cannot possibly be more pleased with the results of this challenging project.

Sincerely, Fred

I would be very proud to own and wear such a beautifully created and re-created piece of glass art. There's something deeply satisfying in giving new life to old, neglected items, isn't there? Congratulations and great work to both you and Danny!