Pair of Antique Petanque (or Boules) Balls oak splint with what look like drill

with what look like drill holes in the wood at the bottom of the interior

Late 19th/early 20th century I believe and very lovely

This beautiful vintage Japanese lacquer box

Wire strung for hanging

Pair of Antique Petanque (or Boules) Balls oak splint with what look like drillI'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