Birdseye Maple Folk Art

Early 1800s baroque oil painting, still life of tulips, tiger lilies, morning glories, and other flowers on a stone ledge. Stretched canvas in a gilt wood frame. Unsigned, artist unk...

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 Century American Tramp Art Cabinet An authentic example of a late 19th Century hand crafted American tramp art cabinet. Untouched in form, still with its original glass window ...

Embark on a journey of opulence with our Vintage Italian Lapis Lazuli Chess Board, a striking piece from the 1980s. This exquisite chess board, meti...

19th century Russian Icon of Saint Nicholas, likely first half 19th century, with I believe egg tempera on gessoed wooden panel, depicting Christ in a h...

A pair of 19th century Victorian folk art naval full-length portraits, executed in oil on wood panels, depict two individuals dressed in sailor suits. The sides of the panels bear pa...

Just Andersen of Denmark, Pewter stylised bird pipe holder. Circa 1930's. Stamped on base. Measures: height 2.5 inch, width 4.25 inch, depth 1.5 inch Good condition. Wear consis...

Two in one. A bicolour game board with an interior storage tray that houses the set’s pearled checkers and black and brass-finished chess pieces. The class of a noble material such as walnut wood perfectly matches with the timeless beauty of genuine leather. A full chess and checkers set...

Chess and backgammon lacquered wood board. China, late 19th century.

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...

The original Hungarian Naive Art plaque depicts a girl or a young woman with 5 cats; the girl is standing in arched doorway, wearing long, ornamental, highly detailed clothes, with c...

American, circa 1900. A highly unusual American folk art game board. Hand designed and painted likely in New England by an Ivy Leaguer which features a 4 corner "Yale Vs. Harvard" d...