SNOWBALL ROYALE vaseline opalescent ornament, most likely Stourbridge region, Victorian Era

Description	:	This piece was possibly made at a 'crib' (backyard furnace in spare time by a glass worker). It is not known to have been made by any particular company and has no particular usage. At best, it is a witch ball. It is the size of a large Christmas ornament, but the glass is too thick to have been supported on a branch without falling off. width is 3 1/2". Weight is 6.55 oz. The frame it is sitting on is sterling silver, made by Alfred Lionel Crichton (Crichton & Co. LTD.), London England (from hallmark on underside). The stand weighs 6.85 oz ($125 in scrape weight at today's price). I do not know what the frame was for, possibly made to hold a teapot over a votive candle. There is an open hole on the piece, where the rod was removed. In this photo, it is pointed downward. I purchased this piece from Marty Schneider, Blue Bell PA, who was set up at the Harrisburg show. He had two of them and bought both of them in England at a Glass Faire. The other one was purchased by another vaseline glass collector from Texas. It is one of only a handful of pieces I have gotten to 'name', as I published the story about how it was obtained after consulting with most everyone who had any knowledge on the subject. (I don't take to the task of naming a piece lightly). It is now called SNOWBALL ROYALE. Photo Donated To Gallery By Mr. Vaseline Glass (Dave Peterson)