Object of the month for July 2009

Small leather ball mid to late 1300s

As the Ashes cricket tournament starts and the Wimbledon tennis tournamentconcludes, the thoughts of many during the summer turns to sport, both as aspectator and participant.To celebrate what is hopefully a successful summer of sport, Museum of LondonDocklands is displaying a selection of sporting bats and balls from across the ages inits foyer and this roughly sewn ball from the 1300s features.The display is part of the West India Quay festival, which has a sports week as partof its programme, and will run throughout the month.To celebrate the West India Quay festival Museum of London Docklands will be

freeto enter on 18 and 19 July 2009.This ball is formed of four pieces of leather sewn around a solid moss stuffing and isone of the earliest balls on display.