Silver Sunday~ Antique Gazing Ball

Little did I know how difficult it would be to photograph my all-time favorite silver possession for this week's Silver Sunday.

Reflective silver things are hard to photograph well without being "in the picture".






This is a portion of my 12" diameter Antique Gazing Ball.

I bought it many years ago in Kentucky from an antiques dealer who specialized in garden antiques.

Gazing balls were first made in Venice in the 13th century. They were popular with the Victorians. Then again in the 1950's.

People tend to either LOVE them or HATE them.




I love this one because it is handblown. It is misshapen, irregular, and has a discolored surface.

I want to show you the end so you can see how the very old gazing balls were "finished off". The glass is nearly 3/8" thick and you can see the roughness where it was sliced after being blown.

Also you can see where the silvering ends on the neck.

The cork is original.




I don't know how old it is. I do know it is older than the ones my parents sold in their home and garden shop in the 1950's. My guess is l930's or earlier.

This is my "Dressing Room" reflected in the gazing ball. You can see part of my dress form collection!

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How do you feel about gazing balls. LOVE them or HATE them????