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A Perfect Past - The 1880s Enigma
The “Enigma” racquet can be placed in the 1880s and has survived in unused condition. The frame shows a flat upper line, a head form that appeared frequently in this decade. Contemporary makers worked with controlled steam bending and kept the top section straight to avoid irregular tension in the wood. The head shape reflects the technical limits and workshop routines of the period. Portrait Position Late nineteenth century racquet construction relied on consistent shaping a

Berlin Tennis Gallery
Dec 31, 20251 min read


The Antique Real Tennis Racquet 1789
The antique real tennis racquet from the end of the eighteenth century features the classic lopsided head with a pronounced downward angle. The frame is made of solid hardwood, a material commonly used for racquet production throughout the eighteenth century. The stringing follows the trebling technique, where each cross string is looped completely around the main string. This method produced alternating surfaces on the string bed, one smoother and one rougher, which allowed

Berlin Tennis Gallery
Dec 11, 20252 min read


Garsault’s Demi-Paume Racquet from 1767
Demi-Paume racquets feature a distinct lopsided head with a pronounced downward angle. The stringing follows the trebling technique, where the cross strings are looped 360 degrees around the main strings. The handle is wrapped with leather, and the solid wooden frame reflects the craftsmanship of eighteenth-century makers. Garsault’s Demi-Paume, 1767 The racquet follows the design described by François-Alexandre-Pierre de Garsault in 1767 . In his treatise Art du paumier-raq

Berlin Tennis Gallery
Dec 10, 20252 min read


Antique Battledore - The Indo-German Legacy Racquet 1648
Antique battledore. The Indo-German Legacy Racquet belongs to a tradition of equipment used for early forms of court tennis, a game that enjoyed popularity among European aristocracy from the Renaissance onward. Such racquets were characterized by a rounded wooden head with a loosely strung gut mesh, typical of early court tennis equipment used in aristocratic circles during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Indo-German Legacy Racquet, 1648 Evidence of this distinctive racquet

Berlin Tennis Gallery
Dec 8, 20252 min read


The Racquet of the Majesty 1583
The Racquet of the Majesty, dated 1583, belongs to the Golden age of Real Tennis, the sport of European kings. The game had evolved from the French Jeu de Paume and became a symbol of royal prestige. Courts were built in palaces such as Hampton Court under King Henry VIII, where the game was played indoors with refined skill and ceremony. Across France, by the end of the sixteenth century, hundreds of such courts stood in use, serving nobles and courtiers alike. In Normandy,

Berlin Tennis Gallery
Dec 7, 20251 min read


Evolution of the Tennis Ball
The tennis ball has come a long way since its inception, showcasing a fascinating journey of innovation and craftsmanship. From the traditional hand-stitched leather balls to the cutting-edge materials and designs used today, each era has contributed to the evolution of this essential piece of tennis equipment. The Evolution of Tennis Balls Early forms of the game were played with rudimentary balls made of wool, hair, or tightly wound fabric, wrapped in leather and sewn by ha

Berlin Tennis Gallery
Dec 2, 20251 min read
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