Kugels are the grandparents of glass Christmas ornaments. These heavy, gleaming balls and grape clusters were made in Germany in the 1800s, and today they're among the most prized antique Christmas collectibles. They're also widely reproduced, so it pays to know the difference.
What Is a Kugel?
Kugel means "ball" in German. Kugels were made in and around Lauscha, Germany, mostly from about the 1840s to the late 1800s, with some made into the early 1900s. They have thick, heavy glass walls and are silvered inside, giving them a deep, mirror-like shine.
Because they were so heavy, early kugels were often hung from ceilings, windows and chandeliers rather than on tree branches.
Shapes
- Balls are the most common shape, in sizes from small to very large.
- Grape clusters are especially loved by collectors.
- Berries, pears, apples, eggs and teardrops are less common.
Colors
Silver is most common, followed by gold (amber glass over silvering), green, cobalt blue and red. Rarer colors include amethyst, copper and pink, which bring higher prices.
How to Recognize a Real Antique Kugel
- Weight: a real kugel feels surprisingly heavy for its size, much heavier than a regular glass ornament.
- Thick glass: look at the neck opening. Kugel glass is noticeably thick.
- The cap: antique kugels usually have a brass cap, often decorative or stamped with a pattern, with a sturdy ring for hanging. Many caps are held on with a little wire or spring.
- Signs of age: the silvering often shows wear, spotting, cloudy patches or flaking from the inside. The glass may have small bubbles and slight unevenness from being handblown.
- Shape: antique kugels may be a little lopsided rather than perfectly round.
Spotting Reproductions
Kugel-style ornaments are made today in large numbers. Most are sold honestly as reproductions, but some end up passed off as antique.
- Lighter weight: reproductions usually have thinner glass and feel lighter.
- Shiny new caps: modern caps are often bright, thin, plain or machine-perfect, sometimes with glued-on hangers.
- Perfect silvering: even, flawless silvering with no wear suggests a newer piece.
- Too-perfect shape: perfectly smooth, even balls with no bubbles or quirks.
- Price: real antique kugels can sell for well over a hundred dollars, and rare colors and shapes for much more. A bargain bin of cheap "kugels" is almost certainly new.
Condition and Value
Value depends on color, shape, size and condition. Grape clusters, large sizes and rare colors bring the most. Some silvering wear is expected, but cracks, chips, heavy silver loss and replaced caps lower value.
Caring for Kugels
- Hang with strong wire or hooks, because kugels are heavy and can snap thin branches or flimsy hangers.
- Never wash them inside; water ruins the silvering. Dust the outside gently.
- Store each one wrapped in acid-free tissue in a padded, divided box.
Read our guide to mercury glass Christmas ornaments and browse our holiday decor collection.
Have you ever found a heavy old ornament and wondered if it was a kugel? Tell us about it!