Collection of 19th Century Graphic Games

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...

Very fine English early 19th Century solid burl yewwood tabletop with molded edge and scalloped sides with mahogany and sycamore compass star inlay, the who...

Lovely collection of three English 19th century brass bound staved vessels all of oval flaring form, the first (with two bands) an oak money bank in the form of a ship's tobacco barr...

English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...

Whimsical Italian 19th Century polychrome tole 12 light chandelier, with bacchanalian theme, featuring clusters of grapes in embossed tin, the whole retaining original paint and all ...

Early 19th century carved walnut artist's model, unusually carved with full head of curly hair and mustachioed face, the limbs articulated and possessing good rich patination.

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...

Early 19th Century Folk Art Hand Painted Games Board A highly decorative example of a late 19th Century hand painted/crafted games board. Double sided with one side being painted by...

This is a high quality Games Compendium, complete with over 8 individual games, all in its original hardwood storage box with a hinged lid. 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...

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...

POW Dominos 28 late 19th Century Napoleonic prisoner of war (POW) hand carved set of dominos, in a sliding painted lid box. Size in inches: BOX H 5” x W 1.8” x D 1.2” (28 Domi...

This 19th-century American folk art game board is a quintessential example of the ingenuity and aesthetic appeal found in traditional American crafts. Composed of alternating walnut ...