{"product_id":"set-of-six-scottish-victorian-ceramic-carpet-bowls-plus-white-jack","title":"Scottish Pottery. 1880s Victorian Set of Six Ceramic Carpet Bowls; Plus the Elusive White Jack","description":"\u003cp\u003eI am listing this fabulous little group of six antique Scottish carpet bowls. It also comes with the elusive plain white jack ball, which you hardly every find. I have more bowls available as individual purchases if you just want one of them.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 19th Century Victorian bowls are in very fine condition,  and you will not be disappointed with them. There are a couple with tiny dings commensurate with age and are natural from use. When that occurs I have photographed them for your inspection. They inherently have no nasty chips or bashes to them and remain nice and shiny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are all genuine antique examples dating to around the 1880s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe balls are glazed with a white ground and with a coloured plaid lines (created by careful placement of criss-cross parallel lines) or spongeware abstract design creating floral patterns. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHISTORY. These carpet balls or bowls date from the Victorian era - in Scottish mansions they were usually kept in a large wooden box inside the door in a hallway and in long winter days - offered warmer amusements for the household indoors.  The balls were usually about 3 inches in diameter and often came in a set of 6 - 8 with a smaller white \"jack\" ball. They were made of fired clay and decorated with plaids, florals, stars etc. They were very popular in the 1870s - 1890s. Few have survived in perfect condition into the 21st Century - as part of the game strategy was whacking your opponents ball out of the way from the \"jack\". Small chips or grazes are often quite acceptable on these due to the forceful nature of the game. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, these pretty Scottish ceramic balls make fine decorative items on display in a bowl or glass vessel in a period interior. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are all roughly about 3 inches in diameter. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven that these bowls are often played with and involve rough contact, it is very unusual to find one in such lovely condition.  This is reflected in my asking price for this fine set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe little basket is not included in the sale - it is for our display purposes only! \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Iconic Edinburgh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55286605513083,"sku":"Sold for £385","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0271\/1902\/6240\/files\/scottish-pottery-1880s-victorian-set-of-six-ceramic-carpet-bowls-plus-the-elusive-white-jack-art-771.webp?v=1791003426","url":"https:\/\/www.iconicedinburgh.co.uk\/products\/set-of-six-scottish-victorian-ceramic-carpet-bowls-plus-white-jack","provider":"Iconic Edinburgh","version":"1.0","type":"link"}