For the sportsman … a beautiful English lignum vitae lawn bowl, possibly from the 1940s, with a center medallion engraved “86”. Measuring 4-1/2” across, it weighs an impressive 2 pounds 15-1/2 oz. This is an extremely tactile object, with a beautiful shine and patina and is a joy to hold, as was its design. Would display wonderfully on a desk or bookshelf.
One of the hardest and heaviest of all woods, Lignum Vitae is prized for its durability and polish (the wood has an extremely high oil content.) It is now extremely rare and, as a result, modern bowls are constructed mainly from synthetic materials. Traditional bowls were meticulously hand-turned and carved, and are heavier to one side so that they turn when rolled (referred to as the “bias”).
Regulation lawn bowls are required to be re-tested and re-stamped at least once every 10 years. Our bowl shows an official stamp marked “1956” suggesting that bowl was made in 1946, which is when a lot of British manufacturing restarted after the war years.
Dimensions: 4-1/2” diameter Condition Notes: Scratches, wear, and indentation consistent with age and use. Overall in very good vintage condition. See photos for more detail or contact shop with questions.
