Before the 1850s bocce and pétanque boules were wooden balls, sometimes partially reinforced with hand-forged nails. When cheap, plentiful machine-made nails became available, manufacturers began to produce the boule cloutée—a wooden core studded with nails to create an all-metal surface. Nails of different metals and colors (steel, brass, and copper) were used to create a wide variety of designs and patterns. Some of the old boules cloutées are genuine works of art and valued collector's items.
Before the 1850s bocce and pétanque boules were wooden balls sometimes partially reinforced with hand-forged nails When cheap pl:entif.ul machine-made nails became available manufacturers began to produce the boule cloutée—a wooden core studded wi?th nails to crea?te an all-metal surface Nails of different metals and colors (steel brass and copper) were used to create a wide variety of designs :and patterns Some of the old boules cloutées are genuine works of art and valued collector's items