Object: Witch Ball
Date: 1721
Category: Lifestyle
Museum Listing: CAMFK: 105.59
Price of Adoption: £25.00/month
People used various objects to ward witches away from their homes, including this beautiful blue witch ball. It was made in 1721 and hung in the window of a house in Gamlingay, a village south-west of Cambridge. Witchcraft was a serious concern in the 19th century among the fenland folk and while beautiful, this witch ball had a very important purpose in the home!
It was believed that these balls refracted the light, which was believed to dazzle witches. Another belief connected to witch balls was that their reflective properties and bright colours mesmerised evil spirits, who would then touch the ball and be absorbed and trapped within it.