Gazing Ball Art II

Gazing balls go by many names and are also referred to as Spheres of Light, Gazing Globes, Rose Balls, Good Luck Balls, Victorian Balls, Witch Balls, Garden Globes, Garden Gazers, and Globes of Happiness.

I had no clue, but gazing balls are quite old; the first records making mention of them as garden decorations dates back to the 13th century when they were blown from glass and made in Venice.

In the 16th century, a garden was not considered to be one without gazing balls in them, but they became extremely popular in the 19th century during the Victorian era, when they were used not only outdoors, but indoors as well.

Indoors, they were strategically placed in dining rooms and on sideboards, where servants could discreetly keep an eye on the guests during a meal, to see who needed a refill, by gazing into the ball.

Many believes are attached to gazing balls:
- They were supposed to ward off illnesses, evil and misfortune.
- When hung in the front room window or close to the front door of a house, any witch who would come around would see her reflection in the ball, would be repulsed by it and leave, or stay there to stare at herself.
- Young woman would gaze at them with the hopes of catch a glimpse of their future husbands.
- As wedding gifts they were supposed to bring the bride happiness in her new home.
- Placed at the entrance of the front yard, people could see who was coming for a visit.

Nowadays, the gazing balls are still considered to bring happiness and ward off evil and misfortune, but they are not always made out of reflective materials anymore; marbles, mosaics, and other items have opened up more possibilities to decorate them with and that is okay; it doesn't make them loose their charm!