Wakefield Museums and Castles

Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. They are hollow glass globes and usually highly decorative. They are often multicoloured and sometimes shiny or mirrored.

It was believed that the spirits would be attracted by their reflection or the patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.

Glassmakers in Castleford often made witch balls as ornamental pieces. It was a way to develop and show off their skills.

Witch balls are often decorated with illustrations cut out of paper. This follows the popular Victorian pastime of decoupage.