Handsome hand-made antique mahogany backgammon and checkers board, circa 1900-1910

A lovely example of a French mahogany backgammon board from the early 1900s. This is a full-size board measuring (open), 73 cms (29”), by 52 cms (20 1/2”). The outer surface of the board is a handsome marquetry (inlaid wood) checkers or drafts board. The game game has been fully restored, and this time I chose to replace the original baize playing surface which had severe moth damage. The new burgundy baize playing surface is custom-made for me by a young artisan in Belgium from 100% Merino wool and the 'points' are embroidered in pale rose and 'eau de nil' silk thread. The quality of her craftsmanship is quite extraordinary - and the slide of the backgammon 'stones' is delightful. The baize itself is a beautiful, deep burgundy red (but which appears rather more like bright red in these photos). Reds are notoriously difficult to photograph, so please do ask if you would like some hi-def images taken in sunlight sent directly to your email address. The playing pieces or 'stones' (of which there are 2X20) are 2” (5 cms) diameter and made from turned French boxwood and have a beautiful grain and the patina that comes from hundreds of games played. (Fun fact : Boxwood is an exceptionally hard wood, that was also used to make the early French 'boules'). The two matching leather dice cups also have a terrific patina from generations of use. The hinges and closing mechanisms are in brass, and the joinery uses the classic ‘tongue & groove’ technique popular at the time. This set comes complete with two sets of modern dice (I can swap the dice for period dice at no charge if you prefer - but please bear in mind that they are inevitably somewhat smaller and nearly always a little irregular, since they were hand carved and marked).

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 damage during shipping. My shippers are 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.