Antique French marquetry backgammon board, mid-1900s

This is a fine example of an inlaid-wood (or marquetry) backgammon board from around the 1930s, a time when jacquet / backgammon was all the rage in France. This is a mid-size walnut board measuring 22" X 17 1/2" (56 cms X 44 cms) open. With its delicate pastel-coloured inlaid wood playing surface this game is equally at home as a talking point laid out on your coffee table - or as a playing board for backgammon enthusiasts. Unusually, the exterior of the board does not have a chess board - but instead just a sober walnut finish, with just a simple marquetry line decoration. The playing pieces are 1 1/2” (4 cms) diameter and made from French boxwood and have the beautiful patina from 80 years of play. (Fun fact : Boxwood is an extremely hard wood, native to France, which was also used to manufacture the early 'boules'). The two leather dice cups have a beautiful finish. The set is complete with two sets of handsome dice, certainly from a later period. As one would expect with antique games of this age there are some signs of usage and wear (all clearly visible in the photos). The internal marquetry playing surface is in fine condition. The hinges and closing mechanisms are in good working condition.

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. 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 damage during shipping. My shippers are 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.