Battledore Collection

Battledore & shuttlecock by Susan Beatrice Pearse
Two little girls play battledore and shuttlecock, or badminton on a fine summers day

Beauties Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock, c1805. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Beauties Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock, c1805

Beauties Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock, c1805. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Beauties Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock, c1805

New Year Games of Shuttlecock, Battledore, and Hand Ball, from the illustrated book "Pictu... 1801
New Year Games of Shuttlecock, Battledore, and Hand Ball, from the illustrated book "Picture Book: Flowers of the Four Seasons (Ehon shiki no hana), " vol. 1, Japan, New Year, 1801

Young Girl in a white dress holding a small racquet and ball
Cabinet Photograph of a young girl in a white dress holding a small racquet and ball Date: circa 1890s

Portrait of a Boy, Probably of the Crossfield Family, ca. 1770-75. Creator: William Williams
Portrait of a Boy, Probably of the Crossfield Family, ca. 1770-75

Regency style children playing shuttlecock and battledore on a village green
A girl and small boy dressed in Regency style clothing playing shuttlecock and battledore on a sunny village green with the village water pump behind

Beauty of Japan's Textiles - the young woman on the left, holding a battledore, is in formal New Year's Day dress. The one on the right is in a homongi, a costume suitable for paying visits

Battledore and shuttlecock, c. 1748. Creator: Ishikawa Toyonobu
Battledore and shuttlecock, c. 1748

Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock on New Years Day, c. 1785. Creator: Katsukawa Shuncho
Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock on New Years Day, c. 1785

Yaoya Oshichi holding a battledore paddle, c. 1744 / 51. Creator: Okumura Masanobu
Yaoya Oshichi holding a battledore paddle, c. 1744/51

The Actor Nakamura Gentaro as a woman playing battledore and shuttlecock, c. 1704

Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock, c. 1765 / 70. Creator: Suzuki Harunobu
Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock, c. 1765/70

True View of a Yokohama Mercantile House (Yokohama shokan shinzu), 1861. European and Japanese women playing battledore and shuttlecock

A girl playing battledore and shuttlecock, Edo period, 18th century. Creator: Shunsho
A girl playing battledore and shuttlecock, Edo period, 18th century

Girl playing with a battledore and shuttlecock, late 18th-early 19th century

The children of Frederick and Ellen Ray of Abingdon, Berkshire, in a landscape
711038 The children of Frederick and Ellen Ray of Abingdon, Berkshire, in a landscape, 1795 (w/c with pencil on paper) by Downman

The Shuttlecock, plate 11 from Le Bon Genre, 1802 (coloured engraving)
STC120490 The Shuttlecock, plate 11 from Le Bon Genre, 1802 (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; French, out of copyright

Political Amusements for Young Gentlemen, or The Old Brentford Shuttlecock
NCO190435 Political Amusements for Young Gentlemen, or The Old Brentford Shuttlecock, between Old Sarum & the Temple of St

Early battledore racket, c. 1825 (ash, calf skin & gut stringing) (see also 955231-3)
955230 Early battledore racket, c.1825 (ash, calf skin & gut stringing) (see also 955231-3) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Playing Hanetsuki at New Year (colour woodblock print)
5043792 Playing Hanetsuki at New Year (colour woodblock print) by Eizan, Kikukawa (1787-1867); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Two women and a boy playing battledore and shuttlecock)

The Cresta Run - a repair party at work
Workmen busy tuning up what is one of the most famous toboggan runs in the world - the Cresta Run in St. Moritz - at Battledore and Shuttlecock, two well known turns. Date: 1924

Children playing badminton on a greetings card - May the shuttlecock of life be always tossed by gentle hands! Date: circa 1900s

Shuttlecock and Battledore (engraving)
1627820 Shuttlecock and Battledore (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Shuttlecock and Battledore)

Battledore and Shuttlecock (engraving)
668368 Battledore and Shuttlecock (engraving) by Leech, John (1817-64); Private Collection; (add.info.: Battledore and Shuttlecock)

Battledore, 1868-70 (oil on canvas)
487851 Battledore, 1868-70 (oil on canvas) by Moore, Albert Joseph (1841-93); 107.3x45.2 cm; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN

The diversion of Battledore and Shittlecock from the original design in Vauxhall Gardens, London (engraving)
584508 The diversion of Battledore and Shittlecock from the original design in Vauxhall Gardens, London (engraving) by English School

Battledoor and Shuttlecock (engraving)
1052551 Battledoor and Shuttlecock (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Battledoor and Shuttlecock)

Early battledore racket, c. 1825 (ash, calf skin & gut stringing) (see also 955230-3)
955232 Early battledore racket, c.1825 (ash, calf skin & gut stringing) (see also 955230-3) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Portrait of a Boy, Aged 3, Standing full length in a Green Dress Embroidered with Gold
652167 Portrait of a Boy, Aged 3, Standing full length in a Green Dress Embroidered with Gold, a Lace Cap and Ruff, Holding a Battledore and Shuttlecock, 1605 (oil on canvas) by English School

Group portrait of a boy and two girls building a house of cards with other games by
CH23394 Group portrait of a boy and two girls building a house of cards with other games by the table (oil on canvas) by Drouais

New-Years Day in Japan (engraving)
1610453 New-Years Day in Japan (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: New-Years Day in Japan. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 15 July 1865)

Battledore and Shuttlecock (engraving)
1056573 Battledore and Shuttlecock (engraving) by Alma-Tadema, Lawrence (1836-1912) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Battledore and Shuttlecock)

Early battledore racket, c. 1825 (ash, calf skin & gut stringing) (see also 955230-2)
955233 Early battledore racket, c.1825 (ash, calf skin & gut stringing) (see also 955230-2) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The New Year Game, illustration in Kokka magazine
CHT349856 The New Year Game, illustration in Kokka magazine, 1898-99 (colour litho) by Koryusai, Isoda (1735-90); Private Collection; (add.info)

Early battledore racket, c. 1825 (ash, calf skin & gut stringing) (see also 955230-3)
955231 Early battledore racket, c.1825 (ash, calf skin & gut stringing) (see also 955230-3) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

A True View of a Trading House of a Yokohama Merchant, 1st month, 1861

Battledore and Shuttlecock, 1810. 1810. Creator: Shinsai
Battledore and Shuttlecock, 1810

Yaoya O Shichi Standing, Holding a Love Letter and a Battledore, ca. 1748. ca. 1748
Yaoya O Shichi Standing, Holding a Love Letter and a Battledore, ca. 1748

GIRL WITH SHUTTLECOCK
A young girl in a yellow dress holding a battledore and shuttlecock. Date: circa 1880

Japanese Battledore
A Japanese mother plays battledore and shuttlecock with her children. Date: 19th century

3 LADIES PLAY BATTLEDORE 1871
Three genteel ladies play a game of battledore and shuttlecock in the garden. Date: 1871

Circa 1805 - Battledore
Four ladies enjoy a game of battledore and shuttlecock during a leisurely picnic in some gardens. Date: circa 1805

4 LADIES PLAY BATTLEDORE
Four ladies enjoy a game of battledore and shuttlecock indoors. Date: 1891

Battledore and Shuttle
Two young ladies play, wearing their elegant toilettes de campagne (dress for the country) Date: 1830

Cuckoo Clock
Three children break off from their game of battledore and shuttlecock to admire the cuckoo clock Date: circa 1880

Battledore
Two people playing battledore (an early badminton) using smaller rackets and a Shuttlecock. Date: 15th Century

Woman with Battledore and Shuttlecock, 1815-20. Creator: Torii Kiyotomo
Woman with Battledore and Shuttlecock, 1815-20. Momoyama period (1573-1615)

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"Battledore: A Timeless Game of Skill and Grace" Step into the world of battledore, a game that has captivated people across cultures and centuries. From Susan Beatrice Pearse's exquisite artwork to the intricate beauty of Japan's textiles, it has left its mark on history. In William Williams' portrait, we catch a glimpse of a young boy from the Crossfield family, holding his battledore with pride. The Regency style children playing on a village green transport us back to simpler times when laughter filled the air. Ishikawa Toyonobu's creation takes us even further back in time to 1748. His depiction showcases the elegance and precision required in this ancient sport. Katsukawa Shuncho's piece captures the joyous spirit as families come together to play battledore on New Year's Day. Okumura Masanobu introduces us to Yaoya Oshichi, who holds her battledore paddle with determination. Even Nakamura Gentaro embraces this game by portraying himself as a woman immersed in battling shuttlecocks. Suzuki Harunobu brings forth an enchanting scene where lovers engage in playful competition while surrounded by nature's beauty. This art form transcends boundaries and speaks volumes about human connection through shared experiences. The Yokohama Mercantile House offers us a glimpse into how this timeless game spread beyond borders during Japan's Edo period. It became an integral part of daily life for many individuals around the world. From Shunsho’s portrayal of a girl lost in concentration during battle to late 18th-early 19th-century depictions capturing pure childhood joy, these artworks remind us why battledore continues to endure throughout generations. Whether played by nobles or commoners, men or women, it is clear that battling shuttlecocks with skill and finesse is more than just a pastime – it is an art form.