collection of 5 Antique French Studded Petanque Game Balls

A custom made display of 100 antique wooden child's spinning tops made between 1880's and 1960's. Multiple colors shapes and sizes. The spinning tops can be arranged however you desi...

A collection of 5 life size antique wooden and composite mannequin hands in various poses. All with original untouched surface. Appropriate aging and wonderful crackled painted surfa...

A collection of 6 old vintage artist palettes ranging in size from 9 3/4" to 23" long. Each barely a 1/4" thick. None have been touched up or made to look old. these are all original...

Rare cast iron antique Whistle Soda advertising piece. This figurative shaped hand has a screw off thumb that was made to hold an hourglass shaped bot...

Set of 9 antique French bowling game/boules cloutees / nailed balls - spheres of wood studded throughout with nails for durability. Four large, five small. Dimensions: Large - 4.5...

Beautiful, unique Boule set of three Boule balls and one target ball, France, late 19th century. In the 19th century, the manufacture of boules balls underwent significant development in France as the game of boules, particularly the pétanque variant, gained in popularity. The manufacture of boules balls during this period was a manual process that required expertise, precision and love to detail. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in rural areas of France and other Mediterranean regions, olive wood was a commonly used source of material for making boules balls. This was not only due to the availability of the material, but also to the outstanding properties of olive wood, which was characterized by hardness, strength and a rich grain. First, the olive wood was carefully selected and shaped into raw balls, which were then sanded to the desired size and shape. The nails were then hammered into the balls one by one, making sure that they were evenly distributed and firmly anchored. Finally, the spheres were polished and coated with a protective varnish to enhance their natural beauty and protect them from the elements. The use of nails to decorate and reinforce olive wood boules was a traditional practice that not only gave the ball a rustic aesthetic, but also improved its durability and contributed to customization. Many balls were made according to the specific requirements and preferences of the players. Nails were driven at regular intervals around the ball, with each nail hole precisely placed so as not to affect the balance and weight distribution of the ball. These nails not only served as a decorative element, but also helped to strengthen the structure of the ball and make it more resistant to the hard knocks and wear and tear during play. Individual engravings or decorations were often applied to the balls to make them unique and identify the player. Antique boules...

Beautiful, unique Boule set of three Boule balls, France, late 19th Century. In the 19th century, the manufacture of boules balls underwent significant development in France as the game of boules, particularly the pétanque variant, gained in popularity. The manufacture of boules balls during this period was a manual process that required expertise, precision and love to detail. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in rural areas of France and other Mediterranean regions, olive wood was a commonly used source of material for making boules balls. This was not only due to the availability of the material, but also to the outstanding properties of olive wood, which was characterized by hardness, strength and a rich grain. First, the olive wood was carefully selected and shaped into raw balls, which were then sanded to the desired size and shape. The nails were then hammered into the balls one by one, making sure that they were evenly distributed and firmly anchored. Finally, the spheres were polished and coated with a protective varnish to enhance their natural beauty and protect them from the elements. The use of nails to decorate and reinforce olive wood boules was a traditional practice that not only gave the ball a rustic aesthetic, but also improved its durability and contributed to customization. Many balls were made according to the specific requirements and preferences of the players. Nails were driven at regular intervals around the ball, with each nail hole precisely placed so as not to affect the balance and weight distribution of the ball. These nails not only served as a decorative element, but also helped to strengthen the structure of the ball and make it more resistant to the hard knocks and wear and tear during play. Individual engravings or decorations were often applied to the balls to make them unique and identify the player. Antique boules...

Three Antique Pétanque Balls, France, late 19th Century. Solid wood center, covered in hammered, steel nails with accent brass and copper nails....