Pair of Antique Petanque (or Boules) Balls antique mender ruler I've included a few images

I've included a few images of pieces of his work in photos

I've found a few other snuff boxes like this that portray humorous scenes

and--especially as I'd put these immediately to use serving dips and spreads and olives

announcing the 'true flight" and "remarkable durability" of these birdies

with this stocky figure carrying something in his (I believe his) arms

Pair of Antique Petanque (or Boules) Balls antique mender ruler I've included a few imagesI'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