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19th Century Glass Witches Ball
Sold by The House of Antiques
sold SA1130623
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2022
Browse dealers 143 items
Id #SA1130623
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19th Century Glass Witches Ball

19th century
Sold 6 September 2025 · The House of Antiques
This “19th Century Glass Witches Ball” found a buyer.

It was listed by The House of Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Large 19th Century glass witches ball

A true example of a 19th century large scale mercury glass (watch ball) witches reflective ball. The mercury inside of the ball has split perfectly to leave the top area with a decorative mottled effect and the bottom still has much reflective visibility present as shown in the photos provided.

In the early 18th century, pretty toys were hung up in nurseries to catch a child’s eye. These were called ‘watch balls’ and were possibly intended for the protection of children from malevolent spirits. With time, their name was corrupted into witch ball. This caused immediate association of these toys with superstitions of witches and evil eye.

Size: H 12” x W 10” x D 10”

Age: 19th Century

Origin: Unknown

Condition: Fair

Item Condition

A naturally aged example with a mottled effect of the mercury at the top of the ball as shown. This item is hand blown unlike the replica 20th century examples and so this example as bubble effect glass with a hand cut top section. Without cracks or breaks, this item doesn’t have a hanging string attached at present, as shown.

We strongly suggest reviewing all the photos provided as part of this advert and propose questions where sections are unclear to avoid disappointment upon purchase. A direct message usually takes 24 hours to answer.

For multiple years we have sold antique items globally, please expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, Items only restored due to breaks and major loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report.

Date of Manufacture

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Glass Witches Ball to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
30.5cm (12.01")
Width
25.4cm (10.00")
Depth
25.4cm (10.00")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1130623
Dealers Internal Reference
19th Century glass witches ball
Description
Large 19th Century glass witches ball

A true example of a 19th century large scale mercury glass (watch ball) witches reflective ball.

“
The mercury inside of the ball has split perfectly to leave the top area with a decorative mottled effect and the bottom still has much reflective visibility present as shown in the photos provided.
The House of Antiques
fig 1. A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top.
fig 1. 19th Century Glass Witches Ball

In the early 18th century, pretty toys were hung up in nurseries to catch a child’s eye. These were called ‘watch balls’ and were possibly intended for the protection of children from malevolent spirits. With time, their name was corrupted into witch ball. This caused immediate association of these toys with superstitions of witches and evil eye.

fig 2. A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top.
fig 2. 19th Century Glass Witches Ball

Size: H 12” x W 10” x D 10”

Age: 19th Century

Origin: Unknown

Condition: Fair

Item Condition

A naturally aged example with a mottled effect of the mercury at the top of the ball as shown. This item is hand blown unlike the replica 20th century examples and so this example as bubble effect glass with a hand cut top section. Without cracks or breaks, this item doesn’t have a hanging string attached at present, as shown.

fig 3. A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top.
fig 3. 19th Century Glass Witches Ball

We strongly suggest reviewing all the photos provided as part of this advert and propose questions where sections are unclear to avoid disappointment upon purchase. A direct message usually takes 24 hours to answer.

fig 4. A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top.
fig 4. 19th Century Glass Witches Ball

For multiple years we have sold antique items globally, please expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, Items only restored due to breaks and major loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report.

Date of Manufacture

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Glass Witches Ball to the 19th Century.

Height
30.5cm (12.01")
Width
25.4cm (10.00")
Depth
25.4cm (10.00")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1130623
Dealers Internal Ref
19th Century glass witches ball
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2022
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The House of Antiques Profile Page

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A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 14
Archive I A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

19th Century Glass Witches Ball

Archive II A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View II
Archive III A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View III
Archive IV A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View IV
Archive V A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View V
Archive VI A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View VI
Archive VII A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View VII
Archive VIII A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View VIII
Archive IX A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View IX
Archive X A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View X
Archive XI A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View XI
Archive XII A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View XII
Archive XIII A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View XIII
Archive XIV A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07568 151 752
Location
22 Goodmayes Lane
Ilford
Essex
IG3 9NZ
United Kingdom
Verified Since Nov 2022
Items For Sale 143
Items Sold 11
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: 22 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9NZ, United Kingdom
Verified
Nov 2022
For Sale
143
Sold
11
A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top.
19th Century glass witches ball
Ref: SA1130623
A spherical, hand-blown mercury glass witches ball featuring a textured silver finish and a small narrow neck at the top.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Objects
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian & Gothic
  • MaterialBlown glass, mercury lining
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsHand-blown glass, Silvered mercury lining, Spherical form, Narrow bottleneck
  • SizeH 30.5 cm (12 in) x W 25.4 cm (10 in) x D 25.4 cm (10 in)

Glass witches balls originated in 18th and 19th-century England and Europe, traditionally hung in windows or near doors to ward off evil spirits, malevolent spells, and ill fortune.

Authentic pieces were hand-blown using glassmaking techniques of the period, often featuring silvered mercury glass lining inside a double-walled sphere to create a reflective mirror finish.

Authentication relies on examining the pontil mark at the base or opening, natural irregularities in the hand-blown glass, and authentic oxidisation or speckling within the silvered mercury coating.

Position the piece on a mantelpiece, inside a cabinet of curiosities, or rest it on a decorative stand to catch natural light and add textural history to a room.

Keep the object out of direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent degradation of the interior silver lining, and dust gently with a dry, soft microfibre cloth without using liquid cleaners.
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