Description (Labels & Markings)
Handwritten label affixed to object reads: '1903.31 ? Cambridge'
Event Date
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
Accession register entry: 'A ball of a white vitreous substance, veined with black'.
Event Date 1903
Author: David Kay

Context (Related Documents)
See 'Report on Collections Research and Cataloguing Project on Post Medieval 'To Be Disposed Of' Material' by David Kay in the archive (Doc.474) for background information.
Event Date 2019
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Physical description)
Sphere of white vitreous substance with red-brown and black veining throughout.
Event Date 25/2/2019
Author: David Kay

Context (Production / use)
Pottery agateware balls from England typically date to the late 18th century. This ball likely also dates to this period.
Event Date 9/6/2022
Author: Lizzy Peneycad

Context (Analysis)
This object has been identified as a pottery agateware ball, made with variegated coloured clays.
Event Date 9/6/2022
Author: Lizzy Peneycad

Description (Physical description)
Pottery agateware ball, with laminations of white, red-brown and black coloured clay.
Event Date 9/6/2022
Author: Lizzy Peneycad

Context (Production / use)
Pottery agateware balls were made by combining variegated coloured clays. These balls were probably made to imitate real agate and marble balls, which were collected as souvenirs during the Grand Tour.
Event Date 9/6/2022
Author: Lizzy Peneycad

Exhibition (Spotlight Gallery)
EXH.2022.11 | Spotlight on Stores Move
Event Date 25/7/2022
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Display)
Displayed as part of the Spotlight on Stores Move exhibition. Caption provided by Lizzy Peneycad: 'A ball of curiosity. When acquired by the museum, the material composition of this ball was unknown. This mystery sparked my curiosity and I discovered that it is made from agateware, a pottery imitation of natural agate. As a geologist, I love the inspiration for this object, and I enjoyed uncovering its secrets!'
Event Date 4/2023
Author: Katrina Dring