Magnificently well-preserved French marquetry backgammon game from the late 19th century

This is a rare example of an amazingly well-preserved inlaid-wood (or marquetry) backgammon board from around 1890, a time when jacquet / backgammon was all the rage in France and beyond. It is one of the finer example of such a board I have seen. This is a full-size, solid walnut board measuring 28" X 20 1/2" (71 cms X 52 cms) open. With its delicate pastel-coloured inlaid wood 'points' this game is equally at home as a talking point laid out on your coffee table - or as a playing board for backgammon enthusiasts with a sense of history. The exterior of the game is a marquetry chess or English drafts (checkers) board. The construction of the board uses the beautiful 'dovetail' joinery that was one of the hallmarks fine cabinet making during this period. The checkers (or ‘stones’) are 2” (5 cms) diameter and made from French boxwood and are in wonderful condition with a really delicious patina from well over 100 years of play - the dark wood pieces are particularly beautiful (see photos). Fun fact : Boxwood is an extremely hard wood, native to France, which was also used to manufacture the early 'boules'. The two leather dice cups have the terrific patina of a life already well-lived. The set is complete with two sets of tasteful large modern dice - but antique dice are available at no charge if you prefer. Please bear in mind though that the old dice are somewhat smaller and often slightly irregular in shape as they were made, and marked, by hand. Unusually for an antique game of this age there are practically no signs of usage or wear - I have rarely seen a game of this antiquity in such good condition. The internal marquetry playing surface is in exceptionally fine condition with absolutely minimal signs of wear - and the external marquetry chess board also bears very few signs of its age. One or two of the marquetry chess squares have been replaced at some point in the board's history, but this is almost impossible to see. If you are interested in chess pieces to match this board, please see 'CHESS PIECES' below.

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.