Antique English Lignum Vitae Lawn Bowl with Carved Scalloped Bands, "Y.C." Monogram, Manchester

Antique English Lignum Vitae Lawn Bowl with Carved Scalloped Bands, "Y.C." Monogram, Manchester

A handsome piece of British sporting history, this antique lawn bowl is decorated on each side with a hand-tooled band of interlocking scallops, framed by crisp concentric rings that lead the eye to a cream inset disc at the center. One disc is marked with the number "2," and the other bears the owner's initials, "Y.C.," a lovely personal trace of the player who once rolled it across the green.

Turned from dense lignum vitae, the bowl has deepened to a rich, warm brown, with a soft patch of golden sapwood glowing on its running surface. A series of stamps adds to its story: "H 8" and "1 3" around the numbered disc, a crescent moon mark, "No. 3 Bias," and on the monogrammed side a stamp reading "Manchester" with a further bias marking.

Country of Origin: England (Manchester stamp)
Estimated Date: Early 20th century [a "1 3" stamp may suggest 1913]
Material: Lignum vitae with inset discs
Markings: Disc marked "2," with "H 8" stamped above and "1 3" below. Crescent moon stamp. "No. 3 Bias." Opposite disc monogrammed "Y.C.," with "Manchester" and a bias marking (2½ or 3½) stamped beneath.
Dimensions: 16¼" Circumference
Quantity: Single

Condition
Good antique condition, consistent with age and genuine use. The wood shows a deep patina with scratches, small dings, and fine age checks in the grain, and natural color variation where the golden sapwood shows through. The discs show light wear and toning, and some stamps have faded with time. These characteristics contribute to the authenticity and character of the piece and do not detract from its beauty. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

Collected Notes
Lawn bowls has been played across Britain for centuries, and in the industrial north, Manchester and the surrounding towns were a stronghold of the game, with bowling greens attached to pubs, parks, and private clubs. The finest bowls were turned from lignum vitae, an exceptionally dense tropical hardwood, and shaped with a bias so they curve as they slow. Players marked their bowls with numbers and monograms to tell them apart, and decorative tooled bands like the scallops on this bowl were a sign of quality craftsmanship.

Why We Collected It
We love the hand-tooled scalloped bands and the personal "Y.C." monogram, which together make this bowl feel both beautifully crafted and deeply personal. The Manchester stamp ties it to one of England's great bowling regions, and its warm patina tells the story of many seasons on the green.

Tisbury House Styling Notes
Display this bowl on a bookshelf, desk, or mantel, turned to show off its scalloped bands or golden grain, or set it in a wooden dough bowl or tray with other vintage objects. It pairs beautifully with leather-bound books, sporting prints, and brass, and makes a striking companion to our matching scalloped "22" lawn bowl. With its "Y.C." monogram, it also makes a meaningful gift for someone who shares those initials.