Rare French backgammon and Nine Men's Morris board, 19th century

This is a lovely wooden French marquetry (inlaid wood) backgammon game, with a highly unusual marquetry Nine Men's Morris (or Merelles) game on the exterior, as well as a marquetry chess board. The board probably dates from the second half of the 19th century. The structure of the board itself is oak, with a sycamore playing surface with rosewood inlay for the Nine Men's Morris board. The internal backgammon playing surface is sycamore with brown and green marquetry 'points' - probably mahogany and green-stained sycamore respectively. The board has wear consistent with a much played game that is more than 150 years old, but overall it is in good condition. I have been careful not to 'over restore' this game as I feel that so much of its charm and sense of history comes from its rich patina and the signs of a life well-lived. The playing pieces (or 'stones') are 3,5 cms (1 1/4") diameter and made from olive wood that has been either stained black or left natural. They too have a delightful patina. The board measures (open), 28 cms (11”) long, by 28 cms (11”) wide. The brass hinges and closing mechanisms are in good order. This board comes complete with a set of dice, certainly from a later period. (I will happily swap these for period-appropriate bone dice, at no additional cost, if you wish - but please just be aware that they are usually smaller and often slightly irregular since they were made by hand). **** 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, Monaco, England, Ireland, Portugal, Hungary, Norway, 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 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. 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.