Antique French Backgammon Game - Circa 1920, with Boxwood Pieces

This fine example of a French backgammon game probably dates from around the end of WWI, probably around 1920, a period when jacquet and backgammon was very popular in France - and every self-respecting café or bistro kept a game or two for its regular customers. This is a game that carries a real history with it - and it is in excellent condition considering its age. Oh, what stories this 100+ year-old board could tell .... It is a mid-size board measuring (open), 56 cms (22”) long, by 44 cms (17 1/2”) wide. The cork playing surface is in very good condition, with the patina of a life well-lived. The outer surface of the game is in remarkable condition and has a magnificent marquetry (inlaid wood) chess board in a beautiful and very unusual dark chestnut colour, with some interesting marquetry embellishments. The playing pieces are 1 1/2” (4cm) diameter and made from French boxwood. (Fun fact : Boxwood is an exceptionally hard wood, that was also used to make the early French 'boules'). The two matching leather dice cups also have the terrific patina that comes from generations of use. The game comes complete with two sets of tasteful modern dice (I can swap these for the antique dice at no charge if you prefer - but please bear in mind that these are inevitably somewhat smaller and almost always slightly irregular as they were made by hand). The two matching leather dice cups are in fine condition and they too have a terrific patina.

Since I started restoring antique and vintage backgammon boards during the Covid lockdown in early 2020 I’ve sold over 500 of my games to connoisseurs in South Africa, Sweden, Hong Kong, Scotland, the Balearic Islands, Canada, Australia, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Monaco, Mauritius, England, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and of course my home-country, France ... but also in New York, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Alabama, Virginia, Colorado, Tennessee, Washington state, New Hampshire, Idaho, Wyoming, Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, California, Oregon, Maine, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maryland, Georgia, Alaska and Puerto Rico. My clients include minor European royalty; national and international backgammon champions; people who can’t play backgammon; British, Austrian, Italian and French aristocracy … and an awful lot of people who just love to play backgammon on these beautiful, historically-charged boards. In addition to the 150+ verified 5-star reviews here on my site, I will happily provide you with contact details for some of my private clients if you so wish.

NOTA : I usually have a variety of vintage instruction / rules booklets, for backgammon and jacquet, in French or English - please ask if you would like me to include one, free of charge, with your game. CHESS PIECES : I do not keep a stock of matching chess pieces to go with my backgammon boards - but I know someone who does ! If you are interested in vintage or antique chess pieces to match your board I will happily introduce you to a friend, who is also based in Europe. He is to antique chess pieces - what I am to antique backgammon. Please feel free to send me a message and I'll be happy to put you in touch directly. DELIVERY : Please note that within France, Belgium, Spain, Germany and some other European countries my usual shipper is Mondial Relay which normally delivers to a 'collection point' (Relay Point) close to your home. For the rest of the world, I generally use FedEx, and the norm is home delivery. I can offer expedited delivery to most destinations. If you don't see this option please message me and I'll give you a rapid quote. INSURANCE : Please note that I do not automatically insure my boards for shipping above the 50€ minimum international cover. My shipper is highly reliable and I very rarely have issues, but accidents can always happen. If you would like me to insure your purchase to its full value there will be a small charge. Please let me know by message and I will set this up.