{"product_id":"antique-knockemdown-ninepins-wooden-skittles-game-royal-interest-c1920s","title":"Antique Knockemdown Ninepins Wooden Skittles Game Royal Interest c1920s","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"75\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"75\"\u003eAntique Knockemdown Ninepins Wooden Skittles Game Royal Interest c1920s\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"77\" data-end=\"231\"\u003eA rare antique wooden \u003cstrong data-start=\"99\" data-end=\"123\"\u003eKnockemdown Ninepins\u003c\/strong\u003e game, made by \u003cstrong data-start=\"138\" data-end=\"190\"\u003eChurch Army Disabled Ex-Service Men’s Industries\u003c\/strong\u003e at 8 Star Road, West Kensington, London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"509\"\u003eThe set includes nine hand-painted wooden character skittles, two wooden balls and the original wooden case with paper label. The label reads “Knockemdown Ninepins — A Pleasing Game for the Young” and notes that it was made at Church Army Disabled Ex-Service Men’s Industries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"511\" data-end=\"796\"\u003eThe figures are wonderfully characterful, with naive hand-painted detail, including military, naval, guard, policeman or official-style characters, along with a white figure and two wooden balls. Each skittle has a charming folk-art quality, with bold painted faces, hats and clothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"798\" data-end=\"1424\"\u003eThis is a particularly interesting piece as a set of \u003cstrong data-start=\"851\" data-end=\"907\"\u003eKnockemdown Ninepins belonging to Queen Elizabeth II\u003c\/strong\u003e was photographed on display at Buckingham Palace as part of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"991\"\u003eRoyal Childhood\u003c\/strong\u003e exhibition in 2014. This is not the royal-owned set, but it is the same named game and appears to be the same type of early wooden ninepins set, giving it excellent royal-interest and social-history appeal. Reuters recorded the Queen Elizabeth set at Buckingham Palace in 2014, and contemporary reports of the Royal Childhood exhibition also mention the Queen’s childhood toys going on display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"798\" data-end=\"1424\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/gallery\/2014\/apr\/02\/queens-toys-show-buckingham-palace-in-pictures?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eQueen's toys to go on show at Buckingham Palace – in pictures | Monarchy | The Guardian\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1426\" data-end=\"1819\"\u003eThe Church Army connection gives the piece further historic interest. The label links it to the organisation’s Disabled Ex-Service Men’s Industries, where toys and other items were made by former servicemen after the First World War. A lovely collector’s piece for those interested in antique toys, wooden games, royal childhood toys, folk art, early British social history and interwar craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"2298\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe set is in used antique condition with age-related wear throughout. The wooden box has marks, scratches, knocks, small losses, children’s pencil scribbles\/marks and wear to the original paper label. There is evidence of old woodworm to the box; this has been treated, but the old flight holes remain visible. The skittles have paint loss, rubbing, chips, knocks and surface wear from age and play. There are two wooden balls included. The set displays beautifully, but should be considered an antique collectable rather than a modern toy. Please see all photographs as they form part of the description.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2300\" data-end=\"2404\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2310\" data-end=\"2313\"\u003eCase: H: 6.2cm x L:51 cm x W:17.5 cm\u003cbr data-start=\"2342\" data-end=\"2345\"\u003eSkittles: approx. H: 14 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2450\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEra\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2409\" data-end=\"2412\"\u003eInterwar period, likely c.1920s–1930s.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Knockemdown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56800664584572,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/9302\/3204\/files\/5EA373C8-0B21-4D6F-A875-DE378D96E81C.jpg?v=1779456935","url":"https:\/\/www.vintagewhiteantiques.com\/products\/antique-knockemdown-ninepins-wooden-skittles-game-royal-interest-c1920s","provider":"Vintage White Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}