Antique French Backgammon Game: Marquetry Chess Board, c.1920

This 100 year-old game is one of the most elegant to have come out of my studio recently. A beautiful early 20th century French pale-walnut backgammon game probably dating from around 1920. It is a mid-size board measuring (open), 56 cms (22”) long, by 44 cms (17 1/2”) wide. The game has been fully restored, and this time I chose to replace the original baize playing surface which had serious moth damage. The new deep Burgundy red playing surface is custom-made for me by an artisan in Belgium from 100% Merino wool. The 'points' are embroidered in ochre and dark green silk thread. The quality of her craftsmanship is quite extraordinary - and the slide of the 'stones' across the playing surface is delightful. The playing pieces themselves are 1 1/2” (4cm) diameter and made from French boxwood - and have the beautiful grain that comes from hundreds of games played. The two leather dice cups also have a terrific patina from generations of use. This set comes complete with two sets of modern dice (antique dice are available if preferred at no extra cost, but please bear in mind that they are somewhat smaller and often slightly irregular as they were carved, and marked, by hand. (Fun Fact : there are no 'original' doubling cubes - as it wasn’t invented until the 1930s, supposedly by a bored American banker on a trans-Atlantic cruise looking to spice-up his games). The outer surface of the board has lovely marquetry (inlaid wood) chess board. Over the years there has been some minor repair work done to the chess board (visible in the photos), but overall this game is in remarkable condition for its age. (If you are interested in chess pieces to match this board, please see 'CHESS PIECES' lower down on this page).

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.