An antique 19th century fortune teller's crystal ball

A wonderful 19th century crystal ball.

The use of crystal ball divination and srying have been popular for many hundreds of years, with the increase in their use during the Victorian period.

Many travelling peddlers and gypsies would use a crystal ball to read a person's fortune for payment, quite often silver coins. These Fortune Tellers would advertise their services, sometimes known as 'fate ladies', soothsayer, seer, and cyrstal-gazer.

Through gazing into the translucent crystal ball it was said a person could 'see' someone's fate.

This is an nice early example from the Victorian era, circa 1880.

These genuine antique crystal balls do certainly make you think back to carnival and fairgrounds acts who would have used these to make money.

Found in nice honest condition, with small surface chips as would be expected given its age.

Nice and cold in the hand, a wonderful sought after collectible, the perfect talking piece.

Approximate circumference - 25cm.

Please see listing images for overall condition.

No cracks or repair.