Iron 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.

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

This is a good quality handmade Miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own lidded pokerwork decorated box, which we date to the English Edwardian period, cir...

This is a good quality handmade miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid walnut box, which we date to the early 20th century, circa 1930's. The che...

A stunning chessboard in Pietra Dura marble produced in Italy in the mid 19th century. The chessboard is framed with a wooden frame. The chess pieces are made in metal and are probab...

This is a 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 1940s. The smal...

Vintage Marble Large Chess Set with hand carved Turquoise Onyx Pieces Vintage mid 20th century Mexican stone marble chess set complete chess board in ...

This is a very attractive complete game of Marble Solitaire with a hardwood circular board and 35 mixed stone marbles, probably French. The circular turned board is made of polished hardwood, with a good grain figure. The board has 32 equi-spaced holes with an additional one in the centre and a gallery to the outer perimeter. Three small circular pads have been attached to the base of the board to protect the surface it sits on. It comes complete with a full set of 35 (32 Plus 3 spare) handmade playing marbles of mixed stone, clay and agate and of different colours. Some of the clay marbles...

Intricately inlaid handcrafted Persian styled chess game board and handcrafted horn and pone chess pieces. Handcrafted beautiful Middle Eastern Moorish style Khatam chess board cover...

This is a good Marble Solitaire game, having a very good hardwood board and a complete set of 34 glass swirl marbles, all dating to the first half of the 20th century. The circular ...

This is a good and complete English resin moulded "weighted" chess set game of 32 pieces, in a jointed pine box, all dating to the early/ mid 20th century, Circa 1930's. The chess p...