Antique French Marquetry Backgammon Game - Mahogany Inlaid Board

This is a lovely example of a rare inlaid-wood (or marquetry) backgammon board from around 1880-1900 when jacquet / backgammon was all the rage in France. This game carries a real history. It is a full-size, folding, mahogany board measuring 28 1/2" X 21" (72 cms X 53 cms) open. With its delicate blue and cream 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. The exterior of the game is a 'three wood' marquetry chess or English drafts board. The marquetry is in good condition with just a few signs of wear consistent with the age of this board (clearly visible in the photographs). The playing pieces are 2” (5 cms) diameter and made from solid French boxwood and are in wonderful condition with the really spectacular patina gained from generations and generations 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 die cups have a terrific patina (one of them has been beautifully re-stiched - see photos). The set is complete with two sets of dice from a later period - although if you prefer I will switch these for antique dice at no extra cost. Please be aware though that antique dice are a little smaller and inevitably somewhat irregular as they were hand-made. As is normal with antique games of this age there are some signs of usage and wear but it is rare to find a game of this antiquity in such good condition. The internal marquetry playing surface is in wonderful condition. The hinges and closing mechanisms are made from brass and in perfect order.

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.