Lot #172. Antique Ivory and Ebony Backgammon Checkers
Antique Ivory and Ebony Backgammon Checkers
This offering is a complete set of 30 large English Antique Backgammon checkers, turned from African Ivory and Ebony. The individual checkers measure 1.7″ in diameter by 0.4″ thick. These English-made Backgammon counters date to around 1840. The antique folding chessboard shown is not included, but this and several other suitable boards are available elsewhere on this web site. The Backgammon stones are in excellent condition with no repairs or replacements. The chessmen are housed in an Sandalwood and inlaid Bone Vizagapatam box. The box dates to around 1800 and is not original to the draughts. This set does not include dice, shakers or a doubling cube. These 30 Backgammon checkers can be use for several board games.
Backgammon is one of the oldest board games known. It is a two player game where the units are moved according to the roll of dice. A player wins by removing (bearing-off) all of his pieces from the board before the opponent. Backgammon is a member of the “Tables” family, one of the World’s oldest classes of board games.
For the interested reader, a more detailed description of Backgammon and its history can be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backgammon
Draughts or checkers is a group of strategy board games for two players which involve diagonal moves of uniform game pieces and mandatory captures by jumping over opponent pieces. Draughts developed from alquerque. The name derives from the verb to draw or to move.
The most popular forms are English Draughts, also called American Checkers, employs 12 stones and is played on an 8×8 checkerboard; Russian Draughts, also played on an 8×8. Continental Draughts (Also known as Polish Checkers) utilizes 20 stones and is played on a 10×10 board. There are many other variants played on an 8×8 board. Canadian checkers is played on a 12×12 board.
For a more detailed discourse on the history and rules for Draughts or Checkers, check out:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draughts and http://www.usacheckers.com/
