History of the German Glass Christmas Ball

I purchased my first Christmas balls in 1987 just after I got married. My husband and I bought 4 boxes of glass balls for our first Christmas tree. Two boxes were called Pearl White and the other two were called December Red. There has not been a single Christmas since that I have not used them in some combination! Over the years, I've broke 2 red balls and 1 white and have been lucky enough to find an exact match for the red but never one even close to the white.

Close-up of gold Krebs crown


 They have an iridescent quality to them that is just magic under the tree lights. The balls also had the most beautiful crowns. Little did I know way back then how unique and elegant this detail was, and it has become the measure of quality I  search for in every ornament I've bought since. Most crowns on glass balls these days are sadly void of detail and look rather cheap. Thankfully, I saved each crown from the broken balls and have reused them on others. Every once in awhile, I'll find one at an antiques shop or vintage store and buy it on the spot just for the crown!

The peal white Krebs ball is in the upper left corner, just above the felt swan.
Do you see how regal it's gold crown appears compared to the other caps?

The balls were made by a company call Krebs and this was the story contained in the box:

During the Dark Ages, German natives in remote northern Bohemia originated an art form in glassblowing which not only holds a unique place in the 4000 year history of this ancient art, but has become a cherished part of Christian tradition. The Germans had learned this skill (a heritage of Egypt) from wandering Venetian tradesman. They used it to create glass ornaments for adornment of the Tannenbaum (fir tree) in their Yule celebration of the birth of Christ, and thus the Christmas tree was born. Down through the centuries the German glass blowers became famous throughout the world for their blown glass Christmas tree ornaments.

Towards the end of the 17th century many of the German glass blowers migrated from Bohemia to Thuringia, Germany, which became the center of blown glass Christmas ornaments for over 250 years. However, the root of early glass blowers remained in Bohemia where beautiful ornaments were produced. After World War II all Bohemians of German extraction were expatriated. The Krebs family settled in Rosenheim, Bavaria, West Germany, at the foot of the Alps, one of the last to continue the tradition.

Through difficult post war years, the family managed to build a production of traditional ornaments, which is now recognized as the largest of it's kind in Europe. The Krebes family developed exclusive colors and designs, for which they have become famous throughout the free world. The new American plant continues to enlarge and enhance this tradition. Signifying their pride for quality, they decorate each of their ornaments with the crown cap, which evolved as their trademark.

Marie Antoinette's Secret: Black Jade

I've mentioned before that I have a weakness for beautiful perfume bottles. I can't imagine life without fragrance. There is rarely a day I don't wear perfume. The new scent out by Lubin, the French perfumer that was established in 1798, is my newest obsession.




The top is a beautiful aqua colored jade.

 Most of us from our history lessons (or perhaps the 2006 movie starring Kirsten Dunst, which I've yet to see in full ) will recall that Marie Antoinette was the charming and beautiful young woman born into Austrian royalty in 1755. She married married Louis XV in 1770 and became the Queen of France.


Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette

History also records her as being decadent and most extravagant in her needs. One such area was her need for the best perfumes. The royal courts perfumer of the time, Jean-Louis Fargeon, created a scent just for her inspired by the roses from her garden at La Petit Trianon. Marie Antoinette kept the  perfume with her at all times in a black jade flask, including during her imprisonment in the Temple Tower. It is here, she secretly passed it to her closet confident just before her execution in 1793 at age 38.


Portrait of Marie Antoinette by Lebrun 1783. Notice the dress color she chose for this portrait, was it her favorite?

 However, during it's initial formulation a young apprentice of Fergeon named, Pierre Lubin, paid very close attention to the components needed to formulate this scent. Until now, it was a well kept secret know only as jardin secret in the House of Lubin.




The beautiful shape of the bottle reminds me of the corseted queen. I wonder if that was the intention?

It has been reinvented and made it's 21st century debut under the name Jade Noir or Black Jade and was released last week to select retailers and exclusively to Lily. I was fortunate enough to purchase a bottle last week at Lily in Charleston SC. They had their launch party on Bastille Day (July 14th) to unveil this intoxicating fragrance with it's rich history and opulent packaging that would surely have made the lavish queen smile.



Besides rose there are notes of Bergamont, Cardamon, Jasmine, Galbanum,
Cinnamon, Indian Sandlewood, Patchouli and a few others.

Lily is located in the antiques district on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina. The owners, Lin and Kevin relocated from New York over 20 years ago and have all the charm and friendliness this southern city is known for. Lily is always a must stop on visits to the city for me. It's the kind of shop that not only has wonderful merchandise, but just has great atmosphere. I fantasize about moving in....maybe turning it into my own private retreat complete with a large soaking tub and Recamier....something fit for a queen of course! Kevin always has a few minutes to chat and I just loved the story about how this perfume came to be.

I spent the major portion of my day running errands. It was the typical day after vacation: unpacking, stocking the fridge, picking up a over a weeks worth of mail and a dental appointment for my daughter. To save myself from the let down of "back to reality" mode, I sprayed myself with Black Jade just before I headed out the door. I had two ladies and one gentleman ask me what fragrance I was wearing. Even my teenagers mumbled a "you smell good Mom."  Perhaps, I will spritz some on while doing the mountains of laundry waiting for me tomorrow...

Oh, unless you will be in France anytime soon, contact Lily to purchase your own bottle of this beautiful and historic scent. It comes in 2 sizes. Be sure to mention that you are an A&A reader to receive free shipping in the US!!!