Gazing at a mesmerising slow-motion blizzard, encased forever within a transparent dome, is a surprisingly powerful experience. One shake and the snow delicately falls, evoking childhood memories and delighting both young and old.
At first glance, these comforting keepsakes might seem to be trivial, trite trinkets. But, on closer reflection, they embody deep concepts and their appeal is far more complex than we might assume. Philosopher Benjamin Franklin was a keen collector of snow globes, which he felt played with the edge between life and lifelessness; after shaking, there is a flurry of life, which gradually recedes once again to stillness.
Literary theorist Paul Szondi referred to snow globes as sentimental 'reliquaries' that capture and preserve a moment or scene to be relived forever. This is particularly true, perhaps, with souvenir snow globes, which act as eternal mementos for happy holidays gone by.
Snow globes first emerged in France in the late 1800s. In his extremely thorough and lengthy report of glassware on show at the Exposition Universelle held in Paris in 1878, United States commissioner William P. Blake recorded that a French glass manufacturer exhibited: 'Paperweights of hollow balls filled with water, containing a man with an umbrella. These balls also contain a white powder which, when the paperweight is turned upside down, falls in imitation of a snowstorm.'
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Denne historien er fra December 2024-utgaven av Homes & Antiques.
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Lisa Coppin
The Cotswold Company’s chief creative officer shares the pieces that mean so much to her
TRAVEL
Six of the best pineta, plus a festive trip to Covent Garden. Review of The Orange, Belgravia by Katie Pike, travel stories
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE
Stumbled upon by chance, this ingenious material was a more affordable option than solid silver, and well-preserved examples are particularly desirable today
Merrily on high
Summoning servants since the 1700s, bell boards create instant English country-house style (even if you don't have any servants). Emma Longstaff dons her pinny
Let it snow
Nostalgic, magical and highly collectable, snow globes are curious objects of wonder that never fail to instil joy
Velvet Crush
Once the preserve of the wealthy, velvet finally touched all levels of society, thanks to advances in its production process
Celebrating in the Stable
Antiques dealer Julia von Hülsen specialises in Gustavian pieces - all of which look perfectly placed in her German home
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Victorian toy theatres charming and exquisitely designed miniature worlds have inspired theatre royalty for decades. Today, the tradition is being kept alive by a small but talented network of makers
NICHOLAS LEES
The ceramic artist talks to Dominique Corlett about new ways of working with clay and blurring the edges of solid objects
Candy CHRISTMAS
Pastel hues, vintage decorations and bowls of sweet treats: the festive run-up is gloriously joyful at Bettina Færgeman's historic Copenhagen apartment, where there's an emphasis on entertaining...