Big, bold, and unapologetically theatrical, this painted sheet-metal balancing ball is a rare survivor from the rough-and-tumble world of early 20th-century traveling shows. Finished in a sky-blue ground scattered with hand-painted yellow stars, it was built for spectacle and scale, almost certainly intended for larger animals. Think elephant, bear, or possibly a walrus seal.
At 19 inches in diameter, the ball’s hollow construction makes it surprisingly light for its size. The surface tells the story honestly. Dents, knocks, and scuffs from heavy use are scattered across the form, and the paint has worn down beautifully over time, leaving behind a surface that feels earned rather than tired.
Circa 1930s and originating in England, the ball survives from an unknown traveling circus.
Big, bold, and unapologetically theatrical, this painted sheet-metal balancing ball is a rare survivor from the rough-and-tumble world of early 20th-century traveling shows. Finished in a sky-blue ground scattered with hand-painted yellow stars, it was built for spectacle and scale, almost certainly intended for larger animals. Think elephant, bear, or possibly a walrus seal.
At 19 inches in diameter, the ball’s hollow construction makes it surprisingly light for its size. The surface tells the story honestly. Dents, knocks, and scuffs from heavy use are scattered across the form, and the paint has worn down beautifully over time, leaving behind a surface that feels earned rather than tired.
Circa 1930s and originating in England, the ball survives from an unknown traveling circus.
