Sylvia Antiques 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.

Beautifully hand-crafted and quietly sculptural, this 19th-century American Folk Art game board was made not in a factory, but by someone who clearly knew their way around a piece of...

This unusual game board is a round reversible and is in black paint with a cow on the reverse. It came out of a unusual Folk Art collection. I've never seen a game board like this on...

This is a high quality antique Games Compendium, complete with over 8 individual games in its original hardwood storage box with a hinged lid, all dating to the Victorian period of the 19th Century. All the pieces are well made and complete. The box is made of a jointed hardwood, possibly red walnut and is a high quality piece in its own right. The box has developed a lovely color and patination from use and wear. The box lid has two brass hinges and two brass loop catches to secure it closed. The interior is sectioned into different sub compartments by hardwood dividers. Many different games are included within the compendium, including; Horse racing game...

Antique carrom large wooden game board double-sided. Antique Carrom Company 1907 wood game board double sided, made in USA. Each corner of the boar...

This is a complete combination board game of marble solitaire and tiddlywinks, dating to the early 20th century. This is a most unusual and very de...

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

Inlaid Middle Eastern Backgammon Board and Chest Board. This finely handcrafted Middle Eastern folding game board is exquisitely inlaid with mother-of-pearl, bone, ebony, and a rich...

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.

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.

Large Decorative Mid-century Chinese Fan in Paper Decorated Painted Wooden Structure. Decoration on gold leaf, of swans, herons and plants. very stylish. It has some wear, as shown...