I am listing a fabulous little group of six antique Scottish carpet bowls, as well as a lot of single ones.
This 19th Century Victorian bowl is in very fine condition - and you will not be disappointed with it. It has no nasty chips or bashes to them and remains nice and shiny. There might be some very minor dings - and where these are obvious I have photographed these for you.
All my carpet bowls are genuine antique examples dating to around the 1880s.
This ball is glazed with a white ground and then decorated with hand-painted coloured plaid lines, created by careful placement of criss-cross parallel lines, as photographed.
HISTORY. These carpet balls or bowls date from the Victorian era - in Scottish mansions they were usually kept in a large wooden box inside the door in a hallway and in long winter days - offered warmer amusements for the household indoors. The balls were usually about 3 inches in diameter and often came in a set of 6 - 8 with a smaller white "jack" ball. They were made of fired clay and decorated with plaids, florals, stars etc. They were very popular in the 1870s - 1890s. Few have survived in perfect condition into the 21st Century - as part of the game strategy was whacking your opponents ball out of the way from the "jack". Small chips or grazes are often quite acceptable on these due to the forceful nature of the game.
Today - these pretty Scottish ceramic balls make fine decorative items on display in a bowl or glass vessel in a period interior.
They are all roughly about 3 inches in diameter.
So given that these bowls are often played with and involve rough contact - it is very unusual to find one in such lovely condition. This is reflected in my asking price for this one. It is being listed at £65.
I have photographed all the single bowls that I have in stock in a little woven basket. The basket is not included in the sale - it is for our display purposes only!
UK Posting will be with Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. This will be applied to your order at the checkout.