Pairpoint Glassworks ‘Tree Of Life’ Hand Blown Witch Ball

Pairpoint Glassworks ‘Tree Of Life’ Hand Blown Witch Ball This beautiful, large (6" tall, 5" in diameter) ornamental ball, made by the Pairpoint Glass Company on Cape Cod, features interior stems that reach out from the base and dimple the surface of the glass. Rich mottled amethyst purple. Stem is wide(1/2”) and strong to accommodate the size and weight of the ornament. Witch Balls are hand blown glass spheres with strands inside for collecting evil spirts and the like. Each one is unique with color, strands, bubbles, and size. The size is about that of a grape fruit. Witch's Balls were very popular in 18th century England, but their actual origin is thought to be much older. For well over 300 years hollow glass spheres have been hung in windows to ward off witch's spells, evil spirits and ill fortune. Hanging these decorative balls in the window is thought to tantalize evil spirits which may be threatening a home's tranquility. The evil spirit is mesmerized by the ball's reflective beauty. When the spirit touches the sphere it is absorbed and trapped in the web-like strands of the glass inside the ball.