Witch Balls (6 inch) Silver Nitrate Effects

Silver Nitrate colors are modified colors as a result of etching or treating the glass granulate with silver nitrate. The results are almost un-predictable, and vary from the application of the nitrate solution. As a result each piece colors a bit differently. The silver nitrate in effect etches the glass color, oxidizing it. It then leaves a bit of silver bonded to the surface. The results are striking to the finished art piece.....

Witch's Balls were very popular in 18th century England, but their actual origin is thought to be much older. For well over 300 years hollow glass spheres have been hung in windows to ward off witch's spells, evil spirits and ill fortune. Hanging these decorative balls in the window is thought to tantalize evil spirits which may be threatening a home's tranquility. The evil spirit is mesmerized by the ball's reflective beauty. When the spirit touches the sphere it is absorbed and trapped in the web-like strands of the glass inside the ball.