1902 Pair of Presentation Lawn Bowls with Sterling Silver Plaques and Original Bases

Offered are a pair of vintage presentation lawn bowls, circa 1902. The lawn bowls sit on their original carved stands for display, and feature sterling silver plaques that denote the event for which they were created.

The plaques on these bowls denote that they were presented to the winner, John Davie, of the "Townholm Bowling Club Kilmarnock Champion Bowls" event, which took place in 1902. Each bowl has a silver plaque with this inscribed on it. On the other sides of the bowls are plaques that read the numbers 1 and 2 on each. There is also faint engraved lettering that denotes the bowling club as well as the location, Glasgow.

Lawn bowling, or “bowls” is a sport in which the objective is to roll balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball, called a "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a bowling green, traditionally outside. 

The oldest lawn bowling site still played on is in Southampton, England. English and Scottish colonists brought the game to America. There was a bowling green in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1632 and many states have towns named "Bowling Green" due to the early settlers abiding interest in the sport. Even George Washington laid out a green at Mount Vernon in 1732. Interest lapsed for years until the wave of Scottish immigration to the US revived it in the latter part of the 19th century.

CONDITION:

Some wear to presentation bowls. Marks on sterling silver plates are noticeable, as well as scuffs to bowls themselves. Bowls can be displayed on the wooden stands, which are not adhered to the bowls. Sold as-is.

Dimensions: Bowls: 4 3/4" H x 4 3/4" W; Stands: 3 3/4" H x 3 1/2" W x 3 1/2" D.