A large ‘pardon’ ball made of eglomised blown glass. Brittany, late 19th century. A symbolic object of Breton folk art. According to tradition, during the major religious ‘Pardons’, a young man would offer this eglomised glass ball to the young woman he desired as a token of pre-engagement. If the gift was accepted, the object was hung from the beams of the family home, with the size of the ball reflecting the suitor’s prosperity and wealth. Diameter: approx. 45 cm