Antique French Marquetry Backgammon Board: C19th Mahogany Game

This is a rare French mahogany backgammon board from the mid-1800s. The exterior of the game is a fine marquetry (inlaid wood) checkers (or drafts) board. The structure of the board and the internal playing surface are mahogany. The inlaid ‘points’ are magnificent. The board measures (open), 66 cms (26”) long, by 56 cms (22”). This 180-year-old board would equally at home as a stunning ‘objet d’art’ laid out on a coffee table - as it would a rare playing board for a backgammon enthusiast with a real sense of history. The outer surface of the board shows some wear consistent with the age of the board and one of the marquetry squares has a small piece missing and there is a narrow split in the playing surface, which does not affect play and will not worsten (visible in the photos). I have deliberately chosen not to 'over-restore' this board as I believe such wrinkles bear witness to the rich history and patina of this ancestral game. I very rarely come across a board of this antiquity in as fine condition. The lovely matching leather dice cups have the wonderful patina of hundreds of games played, over 12 generations. The game is complete with two sets of tasteful modern dice - which I will happily replace with dice from the period if you wish. Do please bear in mind though that period dice were hand carved and marked, so slightly irregular. They are also usually somewhat smaller. The playing pieces (or 'stones') are 2 1/4" (53mm) diameter and made from French boxwood. I also have another set of antique 'stones' available from the same period, which would be a perfect match for this particular board (these ivory stones are shown in the last two photos) which I can substitute for the boxwood stones if you wish. They are felt-backed and glide silently across this beautiful board. Please message me if you would like more details and photos.

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.