Water globes, also known as snow globes, are decorative spheres made of glass or plastic. They originated from glass paperweights and the first one was made in the late 1880s to commemorate the Paris Exposition. They are popular as souvenirs and gifts, and collectors can have hundreds in their collections. Today’s water globes often come with built-in music boxes or entertainment features. They need to be dusted regularly and washed with a soft cloth dipped in water mixed with a mild detergent.
Water globes, also known as snow globes, are decorative spheres made of glass or plastic. The evolution of these decorations is thought to have come from glass paperweights, although the first glass water globe was made in the late 1880s to commemorate the 1889 Paris Exposition. It had a ceramic base and featured a tiny model of the Eiffel Tower and the “snow” that swirled around the tower when it was shaken. It was a huge success as a new souvenir and launched the enduring popularity of the decoration.
Water globes were considered objets d’art by the Victorians of England, who are known for filling every possible space in the house with a kind of decorative knick-knack. In America, they caught on during the late 1920s, when an inventor named Joseph Garaja of Pittsburgh filed a patent for a process for mass-producing them.
Since then, water globe sales have remained relatively constant. People use them as decorative items to liven up their homes or offices. Many are given as gifts to celebrate a special occasion and are available in virtually any design. Holiday water globes remind us of the magic of the season when we were kids; those that depict a certain place evoke memories of that special trip; those purchased or given at a special moment, such as the birth of a child, bring back a lot of emotions; and those that highlight a particularly personal interest, such as a hobo’s subject of a favorite pastime, delight us with a tangible expression of what makes us unique.
Many people start a collection of water globes, enchanted by the first one they buy. Collectors can have hundreds in their collections and the motifs included can focus on a particular subject or run the gamut. Water globes occupy a major category in the collectibles market, and many collectors are always on the lookout for rare and antique globes, which can be quite valuable.
Today’s water globes often come with built-in music boxes or an entertainment feature such as a game or activity. For example, some challenge the wielder to place a ring around an object within the globe by maneuvering the ring by shaking the water.
While the spheres of these globes are normally glass or plastic, the bases are
made from a wide variety of materials, including wood, brass, ceramic, plastic, or glass. Care must be taken to keep them out of harm’s way for logical reasons, but the actual cure for them is quite simple. They need to be dusted regularly and vacuumed occasionally. When they need a deeper cleaning, wash them with a soft cloth dipped in water mixed with a mild detergent, or use the spray type for window cleaners.
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