Elegant French antique backgammon game, circa 1940, with marquetry chess board

This 80-year-old game is very elegant with its beautiful slate grey baize playing surface. A very pretty walnut backgammon game probably dating from around 1940. It is a mid-size board measuring (open), 57 cms (22”) by 45 cms (18”), open. The outer surface of the board has a beautiful marquetry (inlaid wood) chess board, which is extremely well preserved. Overall this game is in remarkable condition - with just a small stain (red wine ?) to one of the squares on the chess board (visible in the photos) which I chose not to try and remove, since I feel it is part of the patina of this historic French board. The hinges and closing catches are brass and in good condition, and the joinery is in the traditional ‘tongue & groove’ style. The game has been fully restored, and this time I decided to replace the original baize playing surface which had rather serious moth damage. The new slate-grey playing surface is custom-made for me by an artisan from Merino wool baize and the 'points' are then embroidered in burgundy and pale blue silk thread. The quality of her craftsmanship is quite extraordinary. The ‘slide’ of the playing pieces across it is delightful. (Fun fact : It then takes me a full day to remove the old baize, clean and prepare the surfaces - and then precision-cut and fit the new baize playing surface in place). The playing pieces are 1 1/2” (4cm) diameter and made from French olivewood and have the beautiful grain and patina that comes from hundreds of games played. The two matching leather dice cups have the terrific patina that comes from generations of use. This game comes complete with two sets of modern dice (antique dice are available if preferred at no extra cost, but please bear in mind that they are inevitably smaller and slightly irregular as they were carved and marked by hand). If you are interested in a set of chess pieces to match this game, please see the section '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, 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.