The Pancake Light takes the China Ball concept to a whole other level with light control. The light has a half-moon bottom, but a flat top.  You get a light that has side flaps that roll down to control the source. The problem with China balls is their circular shape makes it difficult to shape and control.

The pancake (which comes in small, medium, and large sizes) gives you control by letting you add many different globes in the socket depending on what color temp and quality you prefer.