1970s Jean-Claude Mahey French marquetry backgammon and card table

This is a beautiful freestanding French backgammon table by the French modernist designer Jean-Claude Mahey (see biography below*). I came across this board in the Île-sur-la-Sorgue antique market in Provençe in 2026 and immediately fell in love. It is entirely hand-made, almost certainly in the 1970s. It is a free-standing table, with a beautiful inset Chinese lacquered marquetry (inlaid wood) backgammon board. This board removes to reveal a more traditional green baize backgammon board below, with storage trays for the checkers. The marquetry backgammon table-top can also be turned over to make a green baize card table - or merely placed on a table to serve as a separate backgammon board. The framework of the table is lacquered brushed steel, with removable legs. It measures 78cm X 78cms (31" X 31"), and it stands 72cm (28") high. The marquetry wood playing surface measures 47,5cm across (with a narrow 'bar') X 48cm (18 3/4" x 19") - so suitable for 39-40mm (1 1/2") diameter checkers. The hidden green baize backgammon playing surface is 30,5cm (12"), so suitable for 5,0cm (2") checkers. The four storage trays are approximately 6cm (2 3/8") wide by 23cm (9") long. I would be delighted to propose a variety of suitable antique and vintage playing pieces to suit this board - paired with suitable period dice, dice cups and doubling cube (at a price to be agreed separately), but I'm aware that buyers of this type of board often prefer to source their own checkers (Bakelite would be beautiful for instance) and accessories, so I have priced it here as a 'bare board' (indeed Mahey never designed playing pieces or accessories to match this board). This chic backgammon table would be as at home in a modern city apartment as it would be in a classical country house. The condition of the board is excellent, with just some barely visible scuffing and wear consistent with its age. (The legs of the table will be removed for shipping. They are an easy push-fit to reassemble. Shipping costs are based on current August 2026 UPS rates). * (Born in 1944, Jean-Claude Mahey was a French designer known for his elegant creations, which feature fine materials such as lacquer, burl wood, marble, glass, copper, and polished brass … He designed furniture, lighting, and accessories for brands such as Hermès, Pierre Cardin, and Saks Fifth Avenue. His designs are characterized by clean, elegant lines and a meticulous attention to detail. Jean-Claude Mahey won numerous awards, including the prestigious René Gabriel Prize in 1977. He died in 1992).

Since I started restoring antique and vintage backgammon boards during the Covid lockdown in early 2020 I’ve sold over 500 of my restored 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 on my site, I will happily provide you with contact details for some of my private clients if you so wish.

INSURANCE : Please note that I do not automatically insure my boards for shipping. 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.