Display stands available

click photo for additional photos and descriptions.

Gazing globes are made of handblown glass. Our globes are produced in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. For ordering and pricing information please contact:

Punxsutawney Glass & Tile Co.
220 Lane Avenue
Punxsutawney, Pa 15767
(814) 938-4200 (voice line)
(814) 938-2657(fax)

Gazing balls are one of the oldest and newest fads in garden decor. The art of blowing the hollow glass balls came from Bavaria from Venice. At the end of 1300 AD in Venice, these hollow, iridescent glass balls were said to be a sign of fertility. The balls were originally put in hazelnut branches, as legend tells that the Holy Mary fled to Egypt and supposedly took cover from a thunder storm under a hazelnut tree. The balls were decorated with colored bands, blossoms and greenery. Bavarian's fairy-tale Kind Ludwig II named the iridescent glass balls "Dreamballs". They decorated the path into his garden pavilion on Castle Hill on the Starnberger Sea.

In early times it was said that these glassy art pieces had mysterious powers: to protect against illness or evil in the garden, house, or inhabitants; good fortune was increased, bad luck kept away. Even the colors had magic abilities: Ruby Red - preserves love and faith; Agate Green - provides abundant harvest; Topaz Blue - prevents war ("No war in the country and no blood on the soil", as found in old writings).

In 1612, the clerical Antonion NERI named them "Lightballs", saying that through these balls the light, as a symbol of life, comes down from heaven to make the earth fertile.

"Roseballs" were glass balls used in weddings. They were thrown against the wall of the bride's house, and with this gesture the bride was wished good fortune when moving into her new home.

These gazing balls also had useful function: The "Hawkball" served as a protection of all feathered animals, because it's sparkle was used as a scarecrow to keep the birds of prey away. Today again, it is the sparkle and the reflection of the sunlight that provokes the use of the glasslights in the garden of on the balcony.

(Story found in gift shop in Bavaria by editor, translated from German by Anna Rousey, MG)