Ironing ball

Ukranians

Kherson province

late 19th century

Glass

length of circle 27.0

РЭМ 2742-166

This artifact was used by Ukrainian women in the 19th and early 20th century for pressing towel-like headdresses known as namitka. Such balls were called “gálo” or “bán’ka”. They were made of blown or cast glass. Other materials used to make such balls were fired clay or processed stone. “Gálo” (“bán’ka”) served as a press iron in days of old. The technology of their use was as follows: after washing, the namitka was dried; next, two women took the garment’s ends, stretched it, and rolled the ball on it. Under its weight, the fabric flattened out, and the “namitka” could be tied.