Elegant late 19th century French lacquer backgammon board

A fine example of a lacquer and marquetry (inlaid-wood) backgammon board from the late 1800s, a time when jacquet and backgammon was all the rage in France. This is a mid-size, solid walnut board measuring 22" X 17 1/2" (57 cms X 44 cms) open. With its unusual black lacquer finish and its delicate blue-green and cream pastel-coloured inlaid wood 'points' this game is equally at home as a talking point laid out on your coffee table - as it is an historical playing board for backgammon enthusiasts. The exterior of the game is a beautiful marquetry chess board, which shows a few minor signs of usage and wear (some light scuffing to the edges of the board) but it is rare to see a game of this age in such good condition. The internal marquetry playing surface is in very good condition. The hinges and closing mechanisms are also in excellent order. The playing pieces are 1 1/2” (4 cms) diameter and made from olive wood and are in wonderful condition with the really beautiful patina that comes from 120+ years of play. The two leather dice cups also have a terrific patina. The set is complete with two sets of tasteful modern dice, although if you prefer I will switch these for the original bone dice at no extra cost. But please be aware though that the bone dice are smaller and inevitably somewhat irregular as they were hand-made. (If you are interested in period chess pieces to suit this board, please see 'CHESS PIECES' further 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, Hungary, 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+ 5-star reviews here 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 France. 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 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.