Antique French Marquetry Backgammon set, 1920s

This is a lovely example of an inlaid-wood (or marquetry) French backgammon board probably dating from the 1920s, a time when backgammon was all the rage in France and beyond. This is a mid-size, solid wood board measuring 20" X 15 1/2" (51 cms X 40 cms) open. With its delicate teal 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 the backgammon enthusiast. The playing pieces are 1 1/4” (3,5 cms) diameter and made from French boxwood and are in wonderful condition with the patina of hundreds of games played. The two hand-stiched leather dice cups also have a terrific patina. The set is complete with two sets of contempory dice (I can switch these out for period hand-carved bone dice if you prefer, at no additional cost. But please bear in mind that they are almost somewhat smaller and always slightly somewhat as they were made and marked by hand). As is normal with antique games there are some signs of usage but I rarely see a game of this antiquity in such good condition. The marquetry playing surface is in fine condition. The joinery uses the classic 'dovetail' method - and the hinges and closing mechanisms are in brass.

Since I started BeautifulBackgammon during the Covid lockdown in 2020 I’ve sold over 500 restored antique backgammon games to connoisseurs in South Africa, Sweden, Mauritius, Finland, Scotland, the Balearic Islands, Canada, Australia, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Monaco, England, Ireland, 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 100+ verified 5-star reviews here on Etsy I will happily provide individual written, and verifiable, references from 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 both French and English - please ask if you would like me to include one with your game. DELIVERY : Please note that within France, Belgium, Spain and some other European countries my shipper normally delivers to a 'collection point' (Relay Point) close to your home. For other EU countries and the rest of the world, the norm is home delivery. I can offer expedited delivery via UPS to most destinations. If you don't see this option please message me and I'll get 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.