Late 19th-Century French Artisan Hand-Engraved Maillechort Pétanque Boules, Set of 3, Euc

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Description

Elevate your shelving, mantle, or tabletop display with this exceptional, premium set of three 19th-century French pétanque boules. Masterfully crafted … Read more Elevate your shelving, mantle, or tabletop display with this exceptional, premium set of three 19th-century French pétanque boules. Masterfully crafted from maillechort (antique German silver), these pieces transcend standard vintage sports equipment. They represent a rare crossover into authentic European folk art, featuring completely unique, all-over artisan hand-engravings.

Unlike common factory-cast or industrial striped boiler, this set was individually commissioned by a metalsmith. The surface of each sphere is meticulously hand-chiseled with an intricate, radiant central botanical rosette, framed by exquisite cross-hatched borders and geometric bands. The execution mirrors traditional late-Victorian silver repoussé work. Crafted from premium German silver, they boast a gorgeous, warm, authentic grey patina that beautifully highlights the deep precision of the artisan's cuts

In Excellent Used Condition (EUC) with no signs of historical play, this set makes highly impactful sculptural accents. Perfect for the interior designers seeking curated "object" styling pieces, they look stunning as:

- Sophisticated desk or library paperweights.
- Luxury bowl fillers in a marble or wood vessel .
- Elevated display pieces placed on a small decorative rings.

Made in the late 19th to Early 20th Century this set originates from France and is made of Maillechort /German silver repouseé over a boxwood core. Each ball matches the standard measurement and weights for adult play with a diameter of 3" (approx. 76mm) and weight at 6 ounces (approx. 170g).

Artisan Provence Note:
These are authentic boules cloutées, individually hand studded over a historic wooden core. A close inspection reveals one minor nail alignment variation in the nail placement and on small gap between the repousée sheets revealing the Boxwood (Buis) core. These are seen as an historical asset of definitive proof of manual 19th-century craftsmanship rather than a modern machine replication. Please refer to the last two photos for details. See less