- 19th Century Crystal Ball (Witches' Ball) - Large ball with a diameter of 23 cm - Ball is quicksilver and hangs on a copper chain. - Some of the quicksilver has signs of wear and tear due to age. - Crystal balls were usually hung in the hallway or in front of a windowH as it was believed this would ward off evil spirits witches and curses as wht reflection of the quicksilver would reflect these away from their home. The mirror effect was caused by the quicksilver (Alpaca) that was poured into the glass ball. According to legend an evil personage would not have a reflection in the mirror thus people could differentiate between the good and the evil ans as such any evil could be kept out of the home. Later in the 19th Century these balls were used as ecor items in the garden, on the mantlepiece and on vases. The crystal ball was the forerunner of today's glass Christmas tree decorations.