I am listing a fabulous little group of six antique Scottish carpet bowls. It also comes with the elusive plain white jack ball - which you hardly every find. I have more bowls available as individual purchases if you just want one of them.
These 19th Century Victorian bowls are in very fine condition - and you will not be disappointed with them - there are a couple with tiny dings - commensurate with age and are natural from use - and when that occurs I have photographed them for your inspection. The have no nasty chips or bashes to them and remain nice and shiny.
They are all genuine antique examples dating to around the 1880s.
The balls are glazed with a white ground and with a coloured plaid lines (created by careful placement of criss-cross parallel lines) or spongeware abstract design creating floral patterns.
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.
S0 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. The are being listed at £55 each ball and £65 for the white jack - as that hardly every turns up or indeed in this condition.
The little basket is not included in the sale - it is for our display purposes only!
UK Posting will be with Parcelforce24. This will be applied to your order at the checkout.