We don't know the complete history of these interesting pieces of glass. Our knowledge goes only back to the early days of our own country but we assume that their origin dates back into Europe. In the very early days of our country (early 17th cent.) a glassblowing factory was established on the east coast in the town of Jamestown. This first factory didn't last very long as the economy was not strong enough to support the making of other thannecessities. But it does point out that utilitarian glass was of some importance even to those pioneers. Some time later glass making was established as a viable industry. It was strongest in the northeast where the raw materials were in abundance and also where WITCHES and EVIL SPIRITS where known to frequent. So with these witches and spirits ever-present the fine folks, of course, needed something to help protect them. They turned to the glassmakers for a solution. We all know, as they did way back then, that glass is magical stuff. It's created with fire, is harder than iron, mirrors things around it, and yet can be looked through. So the glassmaker of that era fashioned the WITCH BALL for those in need of them. The WITCH BALL took on many different shapes. Some of them were open-ended and some were closed globes. But all served their purpose well. They were hung at the entryways of houses and barns and to our knowledge were very effective at keeping out these spirits. So now the Alder House is happy to afford you this same protection from unwanted witches and evil spirits.