Victorian 'Carpet Balls'?

17 years ago

First post, but I'm an antiques lover, and might be able to help some folk in the European furniture or English china departments, but not in this . . .

I bought 6 "carpet balls" at a yard sale. But what the heck are they? I think that they were used as a Victorian parlor game. Indoor croquet? Bowling? Can you all help with a search on this?

I have seen carpet balls all over the place at antique shows in MA, but mostly in "Delft" blue, or black and white. The ones I bought are happen to be sage green, which is why I bought them. China (porcelain?) balls, about 4" in diameter, with different floral designs. They look vaguely Asian in manufacture.

I doubt that they are truly "collectible" but they are certainly pretty. And old. And well worth the whole dollar I paid for all six, because they are so very pretty.

I just love the unusual, but I'd like to know what they were used for . . .

Any ideas as to where I could do an internet search?

Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

gillianma
Original Author

17 years ago

Many thanks, Linda C!

Once I knew the right name -- bowl not ball -- I also found a few on ebay. Nice to know the game is still being played. Mine do look old, with the creamy background, a sage floral design and a lot of crazing. Perhaps China Export? A nice touch in a bowl in my living room anyway.

Thanks again.

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Comments (6)

lindac
17 years ago
For sure collectable....at least the old ones are.
Properly called a "carpet bowl" for a game of carpet bowling, a variation of lawn bowling which is also related to bocce.
The game is currently experiencing a resurgence in Canada and GB.
Linda C

Here is a link that might be useful: rules of the game
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lindac
17 years ago
You need some Japanese fish floats to add to the bowl....

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass floats
gillianma
Original Author
17 years ago
LOL! Love the floats, especially the one with the net. I wonder . . . Thanks again.
maonh
8 years ago
I bought 3 carpet balls that are very different than any I have seen. They are large, about 5" in diameter, covered in red cracked glass, with mirrored tile encompassing the center, and gold carved ends of a floral design and carved beads. I don't know the age and I have not found any reference to this type of ball. I would love to find out more about them, and whether they are Victorian, or a reproduction. Either way they are really beautiful.
lindac92
8 years ago
sounds like something someone made to fill a bowl on the coffee table.