Glass treasure from Lauscha: The history of the Christmas tree ball

Glass treasure from Lauscha: The history of the Christmas tree ball

The glass Christmas tree ball is a striking element of Christmas tree decoration and has its origins in Lauscha, Thuringia, where production began in the 19th century. Loud vol.at The first glass tree decorations were created out of economic necessity. In 1847, a glassblower in Lauscha began modeling glass fruits, which resulted in the first glass Christmas tree ball.

Lauscha has a long tradition in glassmaking, dating back to 1597. Over time, Christmas tree decorations became more and more popular there. The first balls were included in dealer catalogs as early as the 1850s and from the 1870s onwards they were sold not only nationally but also internationally. Even Emperor Wilhelm I decorated a Christmas tree in Versailles with baubles from Lauscha.

The development and diversity of Christmas tree decorations

Originally, hollow glass beads were produced in Lauscha and made into necklaces. The range gradually developed further. Products such as apples, pears and nuts were the first forms. But pine and icicles, flowers and birds also found their way into the collections. The range now includes around 5,000 different shapes, including angels, houses, fruit baskets and lanterns, reports the website of the Lauscha Christmas tree decoration producers christbaumschmuck-lauba.de.

The craftsmanship and production methods in Lauscha are not only of historical importance, but also highly topical. The tradition of hand-blown Christmas tree decorations was added to the Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021 and even entered UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023. This recognition emphasizes the cultural aspects and the importance of craft techniques for society.

The challenges and the future of crafts

Despite the cultural heritage, the art of glassblowing in Lauscha faces challenges. Rising raw material and energy prices as well as competition from cheap imports are making things difficult for craft businesses. Many glassblowers in Lauscha work in small family businesses that are often run across generations. There are currently 36 glassblowers working full-time and every year around 30,000 visitors flock to the ball market in Lauscha in December, where hand-made balls in different colors and shapes can be found.

A long-term project that aims to secure the future of the craft is the “Christmas Land on Rennsteig” initiative, which Rita Worm is working on. This is intended to help make the old craft visible and further develop it. In addition, new approaches to addressing young people are being considered in order to maintain the relevance of traditions. At the Glas Lauscha vocational school, those interested can learn how to make Christmas tree decorations, which is seen as a source of hope for the future of the craft.

In summary, it can be said that the Christmas tree ball from Lauscha is not only a gift from history, but also a living cultural heritage that is passed on and maintained today. The glass masterpieces add sparkle and joy to Christmas trees around the world.