A friendship ball is a hollow sphere of plain or striated glass hung in cottage windows in 20th century North America as an act of friendship.
European Art glass balls for holiday decoration are commonly referred to in Austria and Germany as kugels (balls or spheres). Kugels range in shape and styles, according to the artist that made them and the season they are displayed. It is quite common to display egg shaped kugels at Easter and Heart shapes at Valentines day. Quality kugels are hand blown art glass. Most are blown into an apple wood mold to retain shape and consistency, though some artists free blow their kugel designs, thus ending up in an irregular shape. Air bubbles and other imperfections are common and expected by the collector.
In North America these glass balls are marketed in many ways: witch balls, spirit balls, spirit catchers, friendship balls, gazing balls, wishing balls, and so on, each with an associated piece of home grown folklore to make the item unique or special.
Famous quotes containing the words friendship and/or ball:
“A woman may very well form a friendship with a man, but for this to endure, it must be assisted by a little physical antipathy.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“You see much more of your children once they leave home.”
—Lucille Ball (1911–1989)