Signed Bristol Blue Glass Hollow Friendship Ball 6.5cm Handmade Vintage British Studio Art Orb

This beautiful 6.5cm hollow friendship ball is a genuine piece of British studio art glass hand-blown by the historic Bristol Blue Glass Company.

Infused with rich cobalt oxide, the sphere displays the iconic, uniform royal blue saturation that has defined Bristol glassware for centuries.

When placed in natural daylight, the hollow orb creates a luminous, concentrated light refraction across its upper curve, while its polished exterior offers a mirror-like convex reflection.

The base features a raw, unpolished pontil scar left by the glassmaker’s iron blowing rod, alongside a crisp, hand-etched diamond-point signature reading "Bristol" and a personal artist cipher stylized as an "H" or Roman numeral "IV".

The practice of blowing hollow glass spheres dates back to the 18th century, when master glassmakers used leftover molten glass at the end of their shifts to create gifts symbolizing good luck, health, and protection.

Standing at a portable 6.5cm in diameter and weighing 172g, due to its hollow core, this contemporary iteration carries on that specific heritage.

Following the permanent closure of the Original Bristol Blue Glass studio in May 2026 due to rising production costs, authentic, signed legacy pieces like this orb have transitioned into highly sought-after collector's items.