Rare "l'intégral" Mechanical Boules Court (1954) – La Boule Intégrale (lyon)

This rare miniature indoor pétanque court, named "L'Intégral," is an absolute must-have collector's item and a major testament to France's sporting heritage. Manufactured in 1954 by the legendary Lyon-based firm “La Boule Intégrale,” famous for inventing the all-metal pétanque ball, this precision-engineered piece of furniture allowed for indoor pétanque play thanks to a meticulous adaptation of the official rules to a 1:10 scale.

The cabinet is distinguished by its high-end construction in solid 20th-century mahogany. The structure features traditional, highly robust joints typical of postwar fine cabinetry, all resting on four tapered legs. At the end of the playing surface is its articulated shooting mechanism made of polished cast aluminum—a smooth, fully original mechanism designed for precise “aiming” and “shooting.” This is a professional-grade café model, which has retained its original coin mechanism and metal cash drawer on the front.

This model offers absolute traceability and guaranteed provenance thanks to a unique set of original, period archives that accompany it. The set includes an explanatory note from Antiquités Godard detailing the mechanical operation, the official Patent No. 789,482 issued by the Ministry of Commerce bearing the historic S.G.D.G. notation, as well as the extremely rare original factory invoice dated March 18, 1954. The latter, bearing the official letterhead of the parent company “La Boule Intégrale” in Lyon, scientifically certifies the purchase of this specific model. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a prestigious piece in show-quality condition, ideal for collectors of café antiques, mechanical automata, or vintage sporting goods.

This set has been fully restored and is ready for use.