Glass Game Boards

Very early American wooden games board; probably the oldest I have handled, this dates to about circa 1835 and exhibits the markings of a typical cottage industry type manufacture (not unlike very early Noah's Arks). Obviously entirely hand crafted; measurements are not exactly square (left to right; top to bottom), probably made of a local soft wood, and hand painted with squares not perfectly delineated. Black light and "loop" inspection reveals age crazing and original paint that, in conjunction with original wear and no attempt to touch up, dates it to the early 19th century. In addition the screws/nails affixed to the hinges are hand forged and in my opinion are of the period I state. In my 50 years of dealing I have had several early 19th century "games" tables; this board game ensemble resembles some of those items. The dice container is also of that vintage. The checker pieces (14 black and 14 yellow) are early and hand carved; while the backgammon pieces in the period box (also hand carved) are turn of the century. Most definitely American, as the last thing an English immigrant would have brought to America at that time would have been a game. When closed, or in the folding position, the board game simulates and is made to look like two books resting side by side (see images), and thusly, was made to sit on a book shelf, either horizontally or vertically; and to be pulled out to play games when desired, which would have been either the game of checkers (draughts), chess, or backgammon. The board opens up to a two sided game option. On one side is the proverbial 64 square (English/ American version) of chess or checkers; and on the other side is a backgammon board. Both sides are hand painted in gold and black, with a rust colored border around the checkerboard. The interior backgammon play area is also black and gold with the same color rust area to the central part. Nail hinges in the center frame, pivot the two sides to open, while a leather covering borders the edge trim, which is 50% lacking on the hinge side. I state the condition to be good, considering it's age, it's use, and the fact that it is still very "usable" and, if taken care of, will probably continue to be so for nearly another 200 years! The checkers, (12) black pieces and (12) yellow (the correct numbers) are hand carved in wood and hand painted. The backgammon pieces (stored in period wooden box) contain 14 yellow hand painted and carved pieces and (13) black ones. (15) of each color are used to play backgammon (simply use the checkers, which are just about the same size (see images) to make up the difference. Most antique game boards...

19th C original painted game board. Nice original Salmon and black paint.

Late 19th to early 20th century bocce balls, France, set of three boxwood, iron and brass nails. The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second ha...

Chess Game in Two Colored Travertine, Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970

This is a very good quality handmade Miniature or Travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid hardwood box, which we date to the mid 20th century, circa 1950s. The...

Vintage Marble Large Chess Set with hand carved Turquoise and White Onyx Pieces. 1950s. Vintage mid 20th century Mexican stone marble chess set comple...

Sterling silver bi-color chessboard and chess game in "Florence" style. The chessboard is in molten silver with red jasper and white color marble The work was engraved with the anc...

A custom made walnut and maple chess set and game table we commissioned. It is solidly made with squares of curly maple and walnut. The table legs and borders are solid walnut. The c...

Embark on a journey of opulence with our Vintage Italian Lapis Lazuli Chess Board, a striking piece from the 1980s. This exquisite chess board, meti...

TROJAN, a coffee table at first sight, is hiding space that holds similar amount of fighters as a legendary Trojan horse. 32 chess pieces made by TOWARNA, are cast from concrete, one of first composite materials, used already in ancient Rome. Chess, which evolved from the Persian chess...

Our brand new Mahjong, a complete restyling for one of the most popular and played games worldwide. Entirely covered in genuine calf leather, our Mahjong comes in a luxurious woo...

We are delighted to offer for sale this original Victorian circa 1860-1880 Mother of Pearl black lacquered with ornate gold leaf floral h...