Antique French walnut marquetry backgammon board, circa 1920s

This is a wonderful example of a very well-preserved inlaid-wood (marquetry) backgammon board from the 1920s, a period when backgammon was all the rage in France ... and far beyond. This is a mid-size, solid walnut board measuring 22" X 17" (56 cms X 44 cms) open. With its handsome café-au-lait and blue-green inlaid wood 'points' this game is equally at home as a talking point laid out on your coffee table - as it is a playing board for true backgammon enthusiasts with a sense of history. The exterior of the game is a marquetry chess board which is in extremely good condition. This hand-made board uses the tradition 'tongue & groove' joinery technique which was popular at the time. Frankly, I rarely see a game of this antiquity in such good condition. (This board is currently my 'house board' here at my home - and we just love the sensation of playing on it). The playing pieces are 1 1/2” (4 cms) diameter, made from French boxwood, and have the magnificent patina that comes from 100+ years of play. (Fun fact : Boxwood is an extremely hard wood, native to France, which was also used to make the early 'boules'). The two leather dice cups have a magnificent patina. The hinges and closing mechanisms are in fine condition. The set is complete with two sets of tasteful modern dice (antique dice bone are available if you prefer, at no extra cost, but please do bear in mind that they are inevitably somewhat smaller and slightly irregular as they were made and marked, by hand). (If you are interested in suitable period chess pieces to match this game 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, Scotland, the Balearic Islands, Canada, Australia, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, 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+ 5-star reviews here on Etsy I will happily provide 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 French or English - please ask if you would like me to include one 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 as passionate about antique chess pieces - as I am about antique backgammon. Please just send me a message and I'll be happy to put you in touch directly. 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 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.