Antique Clay Marbles

Clay marbles are the most common type of antique handmade marble found today. These marbles tend to be a softer ceramic clay and are fired at lower temperatures than porcelain and stoneware marbles. They are not perfectly round. Most clay marbles found are a plain tan color or dyed beige. Sometimes you may find clay marbles in what looks like strikingly bright and modern colors. These are not new, they are old ones with their original paint or dye, and are worth two or three times the price of worn examples or undyed clay-colored types. Sometimes the coloration is unusual speckles or hand painted lines, and these bring a strong premium.