Glass balls like this were first made by German glassblowers in the town of Lauscha beginning in the 1820s. Known as Kugels, many of these balls were silvered with lead or zinc to give them a reflective, mirror effect. By the mid-19th Century, the bulbs became popular Christmas tree ornaments.

Gift of Alice Resch Powers, 78.71.15

by | Dec 15, 2020