24 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



One of these beautiful objects has recently been added to the gem col- 

 lection through the munificence of Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan. It is water pure, 

 4|g inches in diameter, and of almost ideal symmetry. The "crystal ball" 

 has been regarded for centuries with a singular veneration reflected to-day 

 in those curious hallucinations which serve the cupidity of wizard and seer. 

 But amongst the Orientals its peculiar fascination has exercised a predomi- 

 nant sway. Crystal balls are prized among the precious objects of the col- 

 lector's cabinet, and it is with the most exacting and fastidious care that the 

 buyer examines his prospective purchase as he turns it round and round 

 in his microscopic search for some flaw, feather, cloud, stain, inclusion, 

 irregularity, which would diminish its incomparable purity. When his 

 patient and minute examination has convinced him of its freedom from de- 

 fects he is willing to pay generously for its possession. 



The preparation of these spheres with the Japanese or Chinese formerly 

 consumed much time and as Dr. Kunz has said, " skill, patience and heredi- 

 tary pride made up for any lack of labor-saving tools." The masses, at 

 first rudely rounded into globular forms by chipping with small steel ham- 

 mers, were subsequently ground down to an even surface with powdered 

 garnet or emery, in cylindrical short troughs of iron, like " graters." The 

 last transforming polish which transfigures the dull surface into a lustrous 

 mirror is imparted by rubbing with bamboo and with the hand dipped in 

 rouge. When finished the resplendent object is ready for its mounting, 

 usually upon bronze waves where it is borne like a congealed drop of the 

 water's spray. 



Modern economy of labor and mechanical device have shortened the 

 laborious process of the eastern workman and the pieces of quartz are placed 

 in semicircular grooves in huge grindstones where they are held until the 

 contour coincides with the rounded sides of the revolving mold. Water is 

 liberally used as the friction heats the crystal, the sudden application of 

 moisture almost invariably developing cracks however. 



Polishing is effected on a wooden wheel with tripoli or on a leather buff 

 with tripoli or hematite. This mechanical operation eliminates the indi- 

 vidual skill of the workman and while it would seem to diminish the aesthetic 

 interest of the product, it immensely accelerates the work and obviously 

 insures its geometrical perfection. 



The crystal ball has become an enviable feature in all collections of 

 beautiful mineral artifacts, and the Oriental finds his market extended over 

 the whole world of dilettants and experts. In the Green Vault at Dresden 

 there is the largest and most perfect crystal sphere known, weighing some 

 fifteen pounds and measuring nearly or quite seven inches in diameter. The 

 great value of the larger sphere arises from the rarity of the quartz masses 

 of desirable quality for their creation. In Japan the islands of Niphon and 

 Fujiyama yield superior material and fragments have been uncovered in 

 the great gravel beds — in ancient stream beds. Frequently serviceable 



