19th Century Curling Stone With Iron Handle
19th Century Curling Stone With Iron Handle
32200
Late 19th Century Single-Soled Granite Curling Stone with Iron Handle.
A very fine example of a 19th century single-soled curling stone made from Scottish granite, with a traditional forged iron hoop handle. The handle is permanently fixed into the stone with lead, set into two holes bored into the granite, an early method of securing curling stone handles. The pale, speckled granite has an attractive aged appearance, contrasting nicely with the heavily weathered iron handle, which has developed a rich, rusty patina over the years.
The stone measures 27 cm in diameter and 12 cm high without the handle, which adds a further 7 cm to the overall height. The circumference is approximately 85 cm.
An attractive and interesting piece of curling history, with a wonderfully aged appearance. A good decorative collector's piece, and with its substantial weight, an antique curling stone also makes a very good doorstop.
The exact origins of curling are unclear, but the game has a long history in Scotland, where it was originally played outdoors on frozen lochs and ponds. With the unpredictability of the Scottish winters, artificial outdoor curling rinks were developed to make a little frost go a long way. Shallow areas of concrete were flooded with small amounts of water, which could freeze solid after a night's frost, providing a surface for curling when the lochs and ponds were unsafe.
The first curling clubs were formed in Scotland, where efforts were also made to standardise the rules and equipment. The Grand Caledonian Curling Club was founded in Edinburgh in 1838 and became the governing body of the sport in Scotland. The Club encouraged the use of round granite curling stones, and the game developed from teams of eight players throwing one stone each to teams of four players, each throwing two matched stones.
In 1842, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Scone Palace, near Perth, where the Earl of Mansfield gave them a demonstration of curling on the polished floor of the ballroom. The Queen was evidently impressed, and the following year, in 1843, granted the Club permission to call itself the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.
Curling was also firmly established in Canada by Scottish immigrants. The Montreal Curling Club was founded in 1807, making it the oldest established sporting club still active in North America. Today known as the Royal Montreal Curling Club, it remains an important part of the game's history.
Dimensions:
1850-1899
Circa 1860
Granite
Scotland
Great original condition, no cracks or chips.
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