The shoemaker's ball

Your assumption is not correct.

Although the ball filled with water would cool down hot objects a little bit. Water has got a great heat capacity so that hot objects could give off a lot off heat. But there are many other solutions which would be more effective and also easier to produce than a hollow glass globe.

Indeed, the shoemaker's ball was used to work better with the natural light. Before electric lighting was invented, it was very difficult to light rooms selectively and uniformly. If, in some cases, candles and gas lamps were not useful, people tried to utilise the available natural daylight in the best way possible.

But in what way was the shoemaker's ball used exaclty?

a) The ball was used in the morning to distribute the sunlight which was still shining selectively. The whole room was illuminated by the shoemaker's ball.

b) People used the shoemaker's ball at lunchtime to deflect the bright, dazzling light of the sun.

c) The shoemaker's ball was especially used in the evening to focus the light, which was still available during dusk, for work.