ANTIQUE FOLDING CHESS & BACKGAMMON BOARD BOX

ANTIQUE FOLDING CHESS & BACKGAMMON BOARD BOX

Circa 1827

Height open: 2 inches / 5.1 cm
Width open: 16¾ inches / 42.5 cm
Depth open: 13¼ inches / 33.6 cm
Stock number: RW0548/0119
Price: £1200

An early 19th century rosewood folding chess and backgammon board box, with the chessboard squares in ivory and ebony, with either end of the board with spaces to keep captured pieces, the box opens to reveal an interior with a backgammon board with the points and decoration in ivory and kingwood, the panels decorated with miniature chess boards, on one of the ivory chess squares it has the initials and date EMS 1827 and this would tie in with the date of the box. A leading collector has confirmed that he has the saame initials on a George Merrifield box and we assume therefore that these are the initials of the crafttsman working in the Merrifield workshops.

There are some cracks and curling of the chess squares, but nothing to stop you enjoying playing a game with it.