Topic: Witch ball? Bristol Blue?

[Tigerchips]

 

Not mine unfortunetly.

Two of these witch balls were donated to the charity shop that I work for. I had put them up on the shelf as I thought they may be old bristol blue one's. I caught the manager trying to sneak them out the other day  (probably at 50p or something) so I said to her that I'd show them to GMB first just in case.

They measures just above 4 inches high and they both look the same. No seams.
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4954

One large bubble and a few small one's can just be seen in this photo. It's very dirty on the inside.
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4953

Sharp pontil
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4952

I know they are still being made today.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=define%3A+witch+ball&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

So are they genuine Bristol blue witch balls?

Thanks, Tony

[KevinH]

They are certainly of, or close to, the shade of blue that is described as "Bristol Blue". Therefore they can be said to be witches balls in Bristol blue colour. In these instances, I think "genuine" is a misleading word as many people could assume it means they are definitely old (which they might, or might not, be).

[Tigerchips]

My mistake, I mean't genuine 18th century Bristol Blue witch balls. I know bristol blue glass is still made today...

[KevinH]

aaaaahhhhhh! 

Now that's a whole new ball game (so to speak). There may be no way of telling without personal hands on experience. But maybe a keen-eyed GMBer can spot some crucial clues.

[Tigerchips]

I'm just assuming that they made bristol blue witch balls in the 18th century? It may be the case that they only made the Bristol blue ones later on (for whatever reason), I don't know.

I'm also presuming that this is a witch ball, the only other thing I can think of is an expensive glass float. 

[Frank]

I'm also presuming that this is a witch ball, the only other thing I can think of is an expensive glass float. 

It would be a cheap glass float in this case as it would sink!

I doubt its 18th century, look at the crudity of fire grenades and tartget balls. A Witch ball would be made to a similar standard. There is no reason why a 20th century bauble would not have been left crudely sheared like this - which would be my vote.

[Tigerchips]

I'm also presuming that this is a witch ball, the only other thing I can think of is an expensive glass float. 

It would be a cheap glass float in this case as it would sink!

You could always stick a cork...

...never mind, silly idea. 

To use such nice glass and then leave a sharp pontil doesn't really make any sense to me unless it's victorian or earlier. But what do I know.

I'm too young to vote. 

[Frank]

Unless it originally had a small neck to locate a metal holder like xmas balls and it got broken at the base.

[Tigerchips]

Both of them?

It would seem that the metal holder would have to grip on the inside of these one's.

[Frank]

Cap has hole in top wire goes through and spreads out inside. I am really guessing though, I just think they are not crude enough to be ancient.