Spider Billiard Ball

This one of a kind vintage Bakelite billiard ball were recently carved into human skulls by a Balinese artist. The first billiard ball was produced in 1588 from Kenyan elephant tusks – only 3 or 4 balls per tusk. In the mid-1800s, ivory became too expensive, ironically because of the danger to hunters (not to mention the killing of thousands of elephants.) A $10,000 reward was offered to anyone who could create a new material for billiard balls. First came nitrocellulose, which off times exploded when struck, then celluloid, followed by Bakelite in 1909. Bakelite balls were manufactured between 1909 and 1942. A 2" high x 1.75 wide x 2.25" deep.