Stylish 'rustic' style backgammon board from the early 1900s

A delightful, French marquetry backgammon game dating from around 1900-1920. The design of game is in the French 'rustic' style - and it would be perfect for lazy Summer backgammon games beside the pool - or perhaps in front of a blazing log fire in a country home, or maybe even snuggled up in a ski chalet …. This delightful game is positively dripping with charm and authenticity. It is simply crying out for a buccolic, rustic setting - and a collector or a backgammon enthusiast with a real eye for originality. Personally I love these rustic boards - they are such a wonderful contrast to the more traditional, formal backgammon boards. The construction and the playing surface of this game is in oak, with beautiful inlaid wood (marquetry, possibly rosewood) 'points'. The game shows some wear consistent with a much played game that is more than a hundred years old, but overall it is in extremely good condition. I have been very 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 ancient lock functions perfectly. The wood has shrunk slightly in one place on the exterior (visible in the photos), but this is not unusual for a rustic board of this antiquity and it certainly doesn’t affect play. The playing pieces (or 'stones') are 5 cms (2") diameter and the 'white' ones are made from boxwood - while the 'black' ones are I think, rosewood. The playing pieces have felt bases - giving beautiful, soundless gliding. This is a full-size board measuring (open), 73 cms (29”) long, by 57 cms (22 1/2”) wide. The hinges are in good order and the ensemble has a wonderful patina. The two leather dice cups are very beautiful and they too have the wonderful patina of hundreds of games played. This set comes complete with two sets of wooden dice, probably from a later period. (I will happily swap these for antique dice, at no additional cost, if you wish - but please bear in mind 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, 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. 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.