Tournament-size early C20th French walnut backgammon and chess game

A handsome C20th French walnut backgammon game that probably dates from around 1920-1930. Unusually, it still has its original handsome green baize playing surface. It would be equally at home as an ‘objet d’art’ laid out on your coffee table - or as a heritage playing board for the backgammon enthusiast. This is a full-size board measuring (open), 72 cms (28”) long, by 52 cms (21”) wide. The outer surface of the board has a beautiful marquetry (inlaid wood) chess board which is in very good condition. (If you are interested in period chess pieces to match this board please see 'CHESS PIECES' further down on this page). The playing pieces (or 'stones'), are 2” (5cm) diameter and made from solid French boxwood, natural or stained black. The black ones especially have a particularly beautiful, deep patina from hundreds of games played. (Fun Fact : Boxwood is an extremely hard wood, native to France, that was also used to make the very first 'boules'). The two hand-sewn leather dice cups both have the wonderful patina of a life well lived. This game comes complete with two sets of dice, certainly from a later period. (The original, smaller, bone dice are available if preferred at no extra cost - but please be aware that they are somewhat smaller and often a bit irregular as they were made and marked, by hand). I have chosen not to replace the beautiful original baize playing surface, which has wear consistent with age as well as some ancient moth and woodworm damage (both clearly visible in the photos) as I believe that a part of the charm of these old games is their patina and the sense of history that comes with them. The moths and the woodworm are, of course, long since departed.

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 and friends in South Africa, Sweden, Scotland, the Balearic Islands, Canada, Australia, Holland, Germany, 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 150+ 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. 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 this board I will happily introduce you to a good friend, who is also based in Europe. He is to antique chess pieces - what I am to antique backgammon. Please just send me a message and I'll 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.