Beautiful pair of Jaques & Son large lignum vitae presentation bowling lawn balls, having a top and base both with engine turned decoration of circular linked chains and incised bands. Numbered "1" and "2" on celluloid plaque inserts. The inscriptions read: "Re-turned by Jaques Bias N. 3 London Official BB 1947" The date stamps of 1947 would mean that these were made c. 1937 and would need to be checked for bias in 1947. 2298 g 11 cm tall 11.5 cm diameter at centre Made by Jaques & Son, London, a long-established family company that manufactures sports and game equipment. Dating from 1795 when Thomas Jaques, a farmer's son of French Huguenot descent, set up as a "Manufacturer of Ivory, Hardwoods, Bone, and Tunbridge Ware", the company gained a reputation for publishing games under his grandson John Jaques the younger. Jaques is said to have been instrumental in the invention and popularisation of croquet; in 1849 the company released the Staunton chess set. One ball in very good vintage condition with surface scratches and scuffing commensurate with age and use. Second ball has a large split and a crack.