Materials:Turned beech or maple mallets and balls with painted decoration; stained hardwood (mahogany-toned) stand; metal wire wickets with red-painted wooden bases
Age:circa 1920–1940
Condition:Good (honest play wear: scuffed mallet heads, paint loss on balls and wicket feet; small dings and finish wear on stand)
Value:$120–$250
Maker's Marks / Writing:No visible maker’s mark, label, or stamped trademark observed in the photo.
Date:2025-09-18 11:25:43.960922
Description:
Compact, indoor croquet ensemble comprising a turned hardwood carousel stand with finial, approx. a dozen slender beech/maple mallets (several with painted ring bands at the necks), a group of small wooden balls with hand-painted stripes, and a bundle of wire wickets set into small red-painted wooden feet. The stand appears stained a warm mahogany tone with a circular base and hanging ring to store the mallets. Surfaces show play wear: scuffing to mallet heads, losses to ball striping, and age darkening to the wood. A classic household parlor game set meant for drawing-room play.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A nicely preserved and visually appealing parlor croquet set with its original carousel stand, likely English and dating to the interwar period. Wear patterns at the striking ends, oxidation to the wire wickets, and hand-painted striping support period manufacture rather than recent reproduction. Not at the earlier Victorian luxury level (e.g., Jaques boxed sets), but desirable as decorative sporting antiques and for casual play/display. A word about fakes.. parlor and lawn croquet sets are frequently reproduced, especially with new wood stained to look old; watch for overly glossy finishes, perfectly uniform parts, plastic components, and lack of honest play wear. This example shows convincing, use-consistent patina.
Individual Images:
whole item
Provenance:
No provenance provided.
Condition:
Good (honest play wear: scuffed mallet heads, paint loss on balls and wicket feet; small dings and finish wear on stand)
Identification Score: 90%
The combination of a turned carousel stand, small striped balls, miniature mallets, and wire wickets with wooden feet is diagnostic of a parlor/indoor croquet set. Construction details and components match known examples from ca. 1900–1940.
Authenticity Score: 65%
Likely period set based on wood type, hand-painted decoration, tool marks, and use wear; however, without maker’s label and with only one image, I allow for the possibility of a later assembled or partially replaced set. Conservatively mid-confidence. A word about fakes.. modern decorative sets exist and can be artificially aged; absence of plastic and the uneven wear here argue in favor of age.
Image Memory Note
Overall scene shows a tabletop display. Central object: a turned hardwood carousel stand with a domed circular base and tall central column topped by a bulbous finial. Around the column is a slotted ring supporting approximately 10–12 slender wooden mallets hanging vertically; two additional mallets lie on the base. Mallets have small cylindrical heads and long tapered handles; several handles show thin painted ring bands (red/black/blue). Striking faces are rounded and show grayish scuff wear. On the base and around the stand are multiple small wooden balls (approx. 5–7 visible) with hand-painted stripes in red, blue, black, and cream; paint losses and dents present. To the right of the stand is a bundle of wire wickets, each inserted into a small red-painted wooden foot; paint is chipped on the feet and the wire shows light oxidation. No labels or inscriptions are visible on the stand, mallets, or balls. Background includes a small vertical wooden board and, to the left foreground, two metal C-clamps and a coiled cloth tape—likely not part of the croquet set. Table covering is a pale floral jacquard. Notable condition points: finish wear and minor dings to the stand base edge; mallet head wear and small chips; paint wear on balls; oxidation on wickets; overall consistent patina with no plastic parts or modern fasteners observed.
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