Sub-Saharan African 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. 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.

Chess table and chess game in bronze and brass made with the ancient casting technique. After the casting, the finishing was chiseled and subsequently silvered and finished with 24-k...

Parcheesi gameboard with original green, black, yellow and red paint on putty ground. Plywood. Early to mid-20th century. L 24" W 24". Condition: Excellent original condition.

Vintage Haitian game board crafted in wood and hand painted with parrots, ballet dancers, and the tree of life in a rustic naive style and signed by the artist J Michel.

Exquisite large wooden inlaid squared chessboard box. This fantastic item was designed in Italy during the beginning of the 20th century. This handmade box is fantastic because it has an amazing chessboard made of a combination of pine and oak wood squared pieces. The inside part is very large and can be closed with a key that is included. A wonderful piece that is perfect for completing a neoclassic living room...

An antique inlaid folding wooden game board with backgammon and checkerboard/chess board on the reverse side. The chess board with individual inlaid boxes and a string inlay border. ...

Early 20th century aunt sally english fairground game. We share what we love, and we love this oversized early 20th Century example of a carved wood Fairground Aunt Sally knock do...

19Thc Original mustard painted on a black painted base trimmed in red pin striped.The condition is very good and a undisturbed surface.

We are glad to welcome aboard our leisure collection the Mill game. This new brilliant strategy board game is crafted with a luxury field covered in soft calf leather embellished ...

Double sided painted game board with a red, black, yellow and green checkerboard on one side and a “X” painted game board on the reverse side, American, circa 1900. Measures: 16” ...

Rare 18th century Italian gaming board "Nobilissimo Giuoco Della Mea" Or "The Nobel Game of Chance" in original paint and decoupage, (lacca povera) depicting a game which appears to be a board version of "Put and Take" with different characters representing either plus or minus points. Four corners with scalloped carved coin wells, the centre slightly dished for either a top or ball to roll within. Characters include: Scimmia/Monkey - put 6, Re/King - take 1, Vople/Wolf take 3 , Pascia/Lord - take two and so on. Other characters include, Cinese/Chinese, Colombo/Pidgeon, Crepascolo/Twilight, Armigero/Knight?, Gezelia/Gazelle, Adone/Adonis, Gonhiere/Gondolier, Araba Fenice/Arab Phoenix?, Vecchio/Old Man, Leone/Lion. A very similar game board is in the collection of the Medici Villa...