Description
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE. GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC AND AS DESCRIBED OR YOUR MONEY BACK Today we are happy to offer for sale a great antique laced leather rag-filled medicine ball! A medicine ball (also known as an exercise ball, a med ball, or a fitness ball) is a weighted ball roughly the diameter of the shoulders (approx. 13.7 inches), often used for rehabilitation and strength training. The medicine ball also serves an important role in the field of sports medicine to improve strength and neuromuscular coordination. Hippocrates is said to have stuffed animal skins for patients to toss for “medicinal” purposes. Similar large balls were used in Persia in 1705. The term “medicine ball” dates back to at least 1876, in American Gymnasia and Academic Record, by Robert Jenkins Roberts, Jr. The first known photograph of a medicine ball in the United States was taken in 1866 and shows Harvard athletic instructor Aaron Molyneaux Hewlett surrounded by his equipment. This great antique ball is nicely crafted of beautiful and soft leather with wonderful and warm time-earned patina. The ball is cut out and laced with thin leather strips in the manner of a baseball. We believe this medicine ball was used by a baseball team for exercising players. The ball is stuffed in the traditional manner with rags. The medicine ball present well and is in very good antique condition, with minor wear, scuffing and patina commensurate with age. Leather has small spots and scuffs (all age-related). The ball is sturdy and can still be used to exercise and play. Add old-fashioned charm to any interior with this great and very cool piece. Fresh to the market! Dimensions: 12″ in diameter Weight: 8 lbs NOTE: Shipping cost is comprised of virtually all insurance. We do not mark up shipping. 20GW/499/K/F