Pair of Antique Petanque (or Boules) Balls antique mender ruler Paper dolls are about 5

Paper dolls are about 5 3/4" tall and in very good condition

I'm not totally sure what these were made to be used for--perhaps something related to fishing

which clearly inspired it and translates as: "Motherhood

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

Quite a little curiosity

Pair of Antique Petanque (or Boules) Balls antique mender ruler Paper dolls are about 5I'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