Summary

Alternative name: Witch's ball.

Pale blown glass globe, mantelpiece ornament, with three mirror surfaces, on a silver base. Made in Europe, and purchased with a similar piece (now broken) by the donor's great-grandfather, James McLaughlin. It is believed to have been exhibited at the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81.

According to some historical superstitions, a witch's ball could either capture a witch's spirit or deter them from entering a house, the power of the ball's reflection sending them away.

Physical Description

The ornament is made of blown glass, with three mirrored surfaces. It stands 30 cms high, on top of a stem that appears from a photograph to be silver plated. The globe's circumference is about 53 cms. The base of the glass bowl is stoppered by a piece of cork.

Significance

This appears to be an unusual piece of ornamentation, provenanced, the family believes, to the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition. It formed part of the substantial displays of ornamental glass, ceramics and pottery that were such a feature of that Exhibition; nothing like these displays had been seen in Melbourne before, and the 1880 exhibition revolutionised domestic taste in suburban Melbourne. The ornament seems to be a good example of useless decoration, and high-Victorian style, and as such is a useful item to use in displays on the Exhibitions.

More Information