Glass baubles hung on Christmas trees evoke associations with homely warmth, winter mood and preparations for Christmas. The tradition of making them and decorating Christmas trees with them has been going on for generations, but do we really know the origins of this custom? The history of baubles is much more interesting than you might think! Today’s studios and factories continue the centuries-old craft, creating products of great aesthetic and collector value.
The history of baubles – the first Lauscha ornaments
The birthplace of baubles is considered to be the town of Lauscha in Thuringia, located in central Germany. In the mid-19th century, Hans Greiner, a metallurgist there, created the first balls of blown glass. The story goes that this was intended as a replacement for the overly expensive traditional fruit and nut ornaments. Early examples of baubles had a simple, spherical shape. Over time, craftsmen let their imagination run wild and began to give the ornaments increasingly fanciful forms. The result was soon figures of angels, animals, snowmen and everyday objects. The number of available colours and decorations grew. Glitter, various ornaments and techniques were also introduced to enhance the decorative effect.
Bombs and Queen Victoria
A significant role in the spread of glass ornaments was played by Britain’s Queen Victoria. Photographs of her magnificent, glamorous Christmas tree appeared in the European and American press and, as the monarch was a trendsetter of the time, baubles soon began to appear in many homes outside Germany. The industry capitalised on the growing demand for ornaments and introduced larger and larger batches to foreign markets. The small town of Lauscha very quickly became a major centre for bauble production worldwide.
Development of bauble production worldwide
The glassmaking craft in Thuringia had no competition for a long time. Later, new centres were established in the Czech Republic and Austria, which introduced their own interpretations of the designs. In the USA, baubles were already in great demand at the end of the 19th century. Imported ornaments sold there in huge quantities and triggered the development of local production. With the advent of plastics, ornaments began to be produced that were lighter and more resistant to damage, which changed the habits of decorating trees.
History of baubles in Poland
The first baubles in Poland appeared in the 19th century. Initially, they were imported from Nuremberg and only found their way into more affluent homes, manors, palaces and Protestant circles. In the inter-war period, glass Christmas tree ornaments became more popular, while they only became common in rural areas after the end of the Second World War. In the middle of the 20th century, a factory was opened in Milicz, which in time became one of the largest Polish factories producing blown glass decorations. For decades, it produced huge quantities of ornaments and influenced the development of Polish design and craftsmanship related to Christmas decorations.
Christmas tree toys as part of tradition
Christmas tree toys are another type of festive ornaments placed on trees. The decorations were originally created at home. They were made of paper, straw, wood, fabric and waxed thread. In subsequent years, figurines related to local customs, folk tales and nativity scenes began to appear. In the inter-war period in Poland, this field gained greater momentum thanks to the involvement of artists. Artists associated with applied arts began working on professional designs of ornaments for mass production. Christmas tree toys were still popular in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Materials and techniques for making baubles
Soda glass is used to make traditional baubles. The raw material goes to the smelter’s stand, where it is heated in a strong flame to temperatures that allow it to be formed. The heated glass then becomes malleable. The maker then blows air into the tube and gradually shapes the future ornament. The finished pieces are sent to the silvering plant. The inside of each bauble is coated with a solution of silver nitrate with a reducing agent. The process triggers a reaction causing the silver to be deposited on the walls. This creates a reflective layer. The baubles are then sent to the paint shop, where they are given the appropriate colour and decorations. The final stage is the assembly of the pendants.
History of baubles – variety of forms and decorations
With the development of craft and industrial techniques, more and more elaborate collections of ornaments were created. Initial fruit-inspired models gave way over time to more striking forms. Miniature shoes, musical instruments, umbrellas, animal figures and characters known from children’s stories or fairy tales appeared in Polish homes. The sets differed in materials and aesthetics. Bombes made of paper, straw or cotton wool gained their own tradition, which survived in many families until the 21st century.
Poland as a producer of baubles
Polish baubles are among the most valued on the international market. Contemporary manufactures from Gniezno, Częstochowa and several other places continue the work of the glass masters of the past. The hand-painted series are mainly exported. The recipients are countries in North America, Western Europe, Asia and Australia. They are mainly appreciated for their precise workmanship and rich design.
Interesting facts about baubles
The history of glass ornaments is marked by various cultural themes. During the First World War, decorations were created to resemble bombs, grenades and ships. In subsequent years, some designs referred to current political events. In the past, trees were decorated exclusively with home-made items. These were mainly apples, cakes and figurines made from sugar and moulded dough. In many regions, ornaments are still created today from straw, paper or clay to complement the glass sets.
Bombki in Poland today
Today’s Christmas trees in Polish homes are usually the tradition of hand-blown ornaments combined with designs created in mass production. Sets in a wide range of colours and themed figures are available in shops and fairs. Many families still keep old sets from the communist era like treasures and decorate the tree with them every year. Such vintage ornaments can reach dizzying prices today! Craft studios also organise demonstrations and workshops where you can observe the glass-making process and create your own baubles.
Source: rmf24.pl, opoka.org.pl, forbes.pl
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