Pair of Antique Petanque (or Boules) Balls oak splint but it seems curious that

but it seems curious that each hour would be divided into five rather than six segments

Wire strung for hanging

" an international exposition at the 1934 Chicago World's Fair

There is some loss of stain along edges of the carving

Each accommodates a photos of up to 3" x 4

Pair of Antique Petanque (or Boules) Balls oak splint but it seems curious thatI've always got an eye out for old handmade petanque boules balls, but these are the first that I've found, French and dating to the late 19th century I believe. These were made manually by hammering steel (and in this case one brass on each) nails into olive wood balls, one by one, which I understand then required several years to properly cure. Beautifully crafted and wonderfully tactile, each of these weighs nearly two pounds. Approx 3 1 2" in