NOT TODAY, EBAY (39)
By:
September 9, 2026
One in a series of posts via which Josh Glenn will share recent examples of stuff that he was tempted to purchase via eBay… but, heroically, didn’t.
Antique Stick Tie Pin hardstone cameo Mars god w Gold Griffin Ruby eyes
US $4,000.00
I came across this 19th-century curio quite randomly. I was searching for fossil otoliths, and found one that had been made into a stick pin. So then eBay served up this stick pin. Not really my cup of tea.
Except… this orange-skinned, fat-faced, vacant-eyed, complacently smiling, gold-worshipping version of the God of War puts me in mind of someone. Do you see it too?
From the seller’s description:
A carved carnelian hardstone head depicting the Classic god Mars. The stone is typically a light brown-orange, but as we move the stone, it seems to light up from within, depending on the angle of the light source. Beautiful carving. The head is ensconsed in a protective helmet with chin strap – all in gold with fine detail such as scrolling decoration on the surface, ‘hinges’ to strap it closed and a peaked visor. The most astonishing part is the winged griffin perched on the top of the helmet.
MORE FURSHLUGGINER THEORIES BY JOSH GLENN: SCHEMATIZING | IN CAHOOTS | JOSH’S MIDJOURNEY | POPSZTÁR SAMIZDAT | VIRUS VIGILANTE | TAKING THE MICKEY | WE ARE IRON MAN | AND WE LIVED BENEATH THE WAVES | IS IT A CHAMBER POT? | I’D LIKE TO FORCE THE WORLD TO SING | THE ARGONAUT FOLLY | THE PERFECT FLANEUR | THE TWENTIETH DAY OF JANUARY | THE REAL THING | THE YHWH VIRUS | THE SWEETEST HANGOVER | THE ORIGINAL STOOGE | BACK TO UTOPIA | FAKE AUTHENTICITY | CAMP, KITSCH & CHEESE | THE UNCLE HYPOTHESIS | MEET THE SEMIONAUTS | THE ABDUCTIVE METHOD | ORIGIN OF THE POGO | THE BLACK IRON PRISON | BLUE KRISHMA | BIG MAL LIVES | SCHMOOZITSU | YOU DOWN WITH VCP? | CALVIN PEEING MEME | DANIEL CLOWES: AGAINST GROOVY | DEBATING IN A VACUUM | PLUPERFECT PDA | SHOCKING BLOCKING.