Chistera

The Chistera is an electro-mechanical pinball machine from 1952, built by Mr. Guidoni, a pinball operator in France; it is not known how many were made. Its theme is drawn from Pelota (also known as Jai-Alai), a ball sport originating in the Basque region of Spain and France - the machine's name refers to the wickerwork basket glove used in the sport (called a 'cesta' in Jai-Alai terminology).

The Chistera features four flippers - notably more than many contemporaries of its era - along with three passive bumpers, a single exploding spring bumper, and five kickout holes. It also has a ball-return kicker, an uncommon feature for a wood-rail flipper machine of this period, adding to its mechanical distinctiveness.

Details about the Chistera's design and artwork are limited, and its rarity as a French-built, Pelota-themed EM machine makes it a distinctive piece of early 1950s European pinball history.