Collection of 6 Antique French Steel and Brass Studded Pétanque Balls

These heads allowed the relatives to always have a link with the deceased, second half of the 20th century.

This pair of antique detailed cast brass figural cherub door stops are unsigned, but presumed to have been made in the United States in circa 1880 in the p...

Antique Leather Strap with Six Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s Item e6991 An antique leather strap with six brass bells from the swiss Alps manufactured ca. 1900. These bells are ...

Scottish brass and nickel silver horse hobble with an eagle heads horse shoe handle and resting on the faithful servant creature Bide a Blink. Signature...

This remarkable set of 33 antique wooden bowling balls is an exceptional find, dating back to the late 1800s United States. Each piece is meticulously crafted from Lignum Vitae, a pr...

Hand made wooden bowling balls with thumb and finger grips carved out of the wood. Slightly varying size and patina for each ball as well as some being painted blue while others are ...

Hand made wooden bowling balls with thumb and finger grips carved out of the wood. 12" in diameter. Heavy and substantial. Slightly varying size and patina for each ball giving them ...

Beautiful, unique Boule ball pair, France, late 19th Century. Diameter 9,4 cm. In the 19th century, the manufacture of boules balls underwent significant development in France as th...

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...

Beautiful, unique Boule ball pair, France, late 19th Century. Decorated with the numer "3" on each ball and with a "V" on one of the Boule balls. In the 19th century, the manufactur...