Early 20th Century, Circus Balancing Balls

Matched pair of Early 20th Century English Hand Crafted Fairground Fragment These historic hand carved early 20th century English fairground ride decorative fragments have stood the...

Early 20th century American double sided whirligig figure A brilliant example of early 20th century American Folk Art. In the form of a hand carved wooden double sided whirligig f...

18th Century Folk Art Street Performance Figure. An unusual and complete one-off piece of folk art, in the form of a hand carved begging figure. Recently uncovered from a personal ...

Carved wooden gypsy vardo wagon panels, circa 1880 This lot is a very rare and unique set of 6 hand carved wooden gypsy Vardo travelling wagon panel strips. The wooden panels wou...

Spanish Petanque Balls - Early 20th Century Set Discover the timeless charm of our set of four Spanish petanque balls, crafted in the early 20th century around 1940. This exquisite ...

A terrific pair of mid-19th century carved wood bowling balls. A great accessory for any tabletop or bookcase.

Beautiful, unique Boule ball pair, France, late 19th Century. Diameter 9,5 cm. 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...

Vintage wooden balls from France. Each ball is unique and has slightly different markings. Some have stamped initials. (Each sold separately). Vin...