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French Backgammon Board from the late Belle Époque (1900/10). Solid Walnut - Great Marquetry with Satinwood, Antique with Beautiful Patina.

Item highlights

  • Materials: Boxwood, Ebony, Leather, Walnut, Wood
  • Vintage: From the 1910s

Seller's description

This unique handmade antique French backgammon set dating from circa 1900–1910 (late Belle Époque), exemplifies the elegant marquetry craftsmanship of the period.

Crafted from solid, rich walnut (with warm, dark brown tones and subtle grain typical of French walnut from this era), it features stunning satinwood (or closely matched yellow-toned fruitwood) inlays for the bright contrasting points and borders—vivid golden against deep brown/dark fields.

The interior playing surface remains in remarkably good condition for its age without any noticable damage or scratches, with crisp, vibrant marquetry lines that retain excellent color and definition after more than a century.

The exterior displays a marquetry chess/checkers board in alternating dark (likely stained walnut or ebonized wood) and lighter satinwood—framed by walnut with clean raised edges and a beautiful, even patina that has aged gracefully.

The overall appearance is impressive for a piece of this antiquity : well-preserved surfaces, strong contrast in the inlays, and a warm, polished glow that speaks to careful stewardship over the decades.

The board folds via sturdy brass butt hinges and the construction uses traditional tongue-and-groove joinery for lasting durability.

Measuring approximately 48 cm × 42 cm (19" × 16½") when open, this is a classic mid-size portable board—perfectly balanced for comfortable play and elegant display.

The playing pieces (checkers/stones) measure approximately 3 cm (1.2") in diameter, turned from light hardwood with distinctive concentric turned rings on the top and bottom faces. (these are not original to the set) The size provides excellent presence and easy handling during play.

They come with a single complementary linen GammonAncien bag that slips neatly inside the closed board for convenient storage.

A sturdy thick handmade leather dice cup with a beautiful patina and a set of dice from a later time period complete this wonderful antique set out of the Belle Époque or early Roaring Twenties.

This is not merely a game—it's a breathing piece of history, an artifact from the turn of the century when backgammon surged in popularity among the French bourgeoisie. It carries the essence of an era—the scent of aged walnut, the quiet elegance of timeless design.

A true Art object for the discerning collector, this circa 1900–1910 French beauty stands ready to anchor your collection or to host games that honor its refined, well-preserved past.

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Thank you for stopping by @GammonAncien.

Be sure to explore our full shop. We have a vast collection of vintage and antique boards available, which are not currently listed on our Etsy shop. If you're looking for something specific, please don't hesitate to ask, and we'll do our best to connect you with what you're seeking.

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Shop review

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All reviews are from verified buyers. This review is shown automatically based on factors like recency, whether it includes comments, your chosen language, and whether the rating reflects the typical experience with the shop.

“Helped push the package through USPS”

James

Jun 7, 2026

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Rare find

Price:$428.28

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Shipping & return policies
  • Cost to ship
    $76.27 to United States, 43215.

Seller's description

Specifications

May include: A wooden backgammon board with dark and light brown triangular points. The set includes a brown leather dice cup, two white dice with black pips, a beige drawstring pouch, and a cardboard tag, both labeled with the text GAMMONANCIEN.

This unique handmade antique French backgammon set dating from circa 1900–1910 (late Belle Époque), exemplifies the elegant marquetry craftsmanship of the period.

Crafted from solid, rich walnut (with warm, dark brown tones and subtle grain typical of French walnut from this era), it features stunning satinwood (or closely matched yellow-toned fruitwood) inlays for the bright contrasting points and borders—vivid golden against deep brown/dark fields.

The interior playing surface remains in remarkably good condition for its age without any noticable damage or scratches, with crisp, vibrant marquetry lines that retain excellent color and definition after more than a century.

The exterior displays a marquetry chess/checkers board in alternating dark (likely stained walnut or ebonized wood) and lighter satinwood—framed by walnut with clean raised edges and a beautiful, even patina that has aged gracefully.

The overall appearance is impressive for a piece of this antiquity : well-preserved surfaces, strong contrast in the inlays, and a warm, polished glow that speaks to careful stewardship over the decades.

The board folds via sturdy brass butt hinges and the construction uses traditional tongue-and-groove joinery for lasting durability.

Measuring approximately 48 cm × 42 cm (19" × 16½") when open, this is a classic mid-size portable board—perfectly balanced for comfortable play and elegant display.

The playing pieces (checkers/stones) measure approximately 3 cm (1.2") in diameter, turned from light hardwood with distinctive concentric turned rings on the top and bottom faces. (these are not original to the set) The size provides excellent presence and easy handling during play.

They come with a single complementary linen GammonAncien bag that slips neatly inside the closed board for convenient storage.

A sturdy thick handmade leather dice cup with a beautiful patina and a set of dice from a later time period complete this wonderful antique set out of the Belle Époque or early Roaring Twenties.

This is not merely a game—it's a breathing piece of history, an artifact from the turn of the century when backgammon surged in popularity among the French bourgeoisie. It carries the essence of an era—the scent of aged walnut, the quiet elegance of timeless design.

A true Art object for the discerning collector, this circa 1900–1910 French beauty stands ready to anchor your collection or to host games that honor its refined, well-preserved past.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for stopping by @GammonAncien.

Be sure to explore our full shop. We have a vast collection of vintage and antique boards available, which are not currently listed on our Etsy shop. If you're looking for something specific, please don't hesitate to ask, and we'll do our best to connect you with what you're seeking.

  • Handpicked by
  • Era
    Vintage from the 1910s
  • Materials
    Boxwood, ebony, leather, walnut, wood

Delivery details and policies

  • Get it by
    Nov 19-Dec 1
  • Returns and exchanges
    Not accepted
  • Ships from
    The Netherlands
  • Cost to ship
    $76.27 to United States, 43215

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Meet your seller

GAMMONANCIEN
GAMMONANCIEN ·

The Netherlands

We calculate this number using a recency-weighted average of all ratings, with a rating's value decreasing by half each year to best reflect the current experience. 5.0
·
73 sales
·
3 years on Etsy

Usually responds in a few hours

Smooth shipping Has a history of shipping on time with tracking.

Speedy replies Has a history of replying to messages quickly.

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Listed on Oct 28, 2026