The Gazing Ball
- lgoehler
- Dec 12, 2016
- 1 min read
The gazing ball goes by many names. Yard globe, garden globe, lawn ball, gazing globe, mirror ball - the list goes on. The decoration with many names must be colored with a rich history.
The origin of the gazing ball can be traced back to the 13th century in Venice, Italy. These lavish pieces were hand-blown by the most skilled craftsmen. Gazing balls became a staple for European gardens after King Ludwig II of Bavaria embellished the palace with them. The gazing ball is particularly associated with Victorian era English Gardens.
Later interpretations of the classic design featured polished metal. The gazing ball experienced a resurgence in the 1930s among household occupants. The design complemented the style of the Art-Deco aesthetic of the 1930s and 1940s.
Today, the gazing ball is often regarded as tacky or tasteless. After losing faithful following in the 1950, the gazing ball has been unable to regain its' superior status.
Information from Wikipedia.
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