Lot #444. Antique Jaques Style Chessboard

Antique Jaques Style Chessboard.

This offering features an Antique Jaques Style Chessboard. The chess board recessed squares are Holly and Rosewood veneer with a Mahogany veneer back and a solid raised Mahogany frame. The chessboard measures 22″ square. The square size is 2-1/2″. This chessboard was produced to accompany the Club-Size Staunton chess pieces. The chess board was most likely produced in the mid-to-late 1800s. The chessboard has a very nice patina and was apparently used as a wall hanging by its previous owner. The chessboard has some veneer splitting and large delaminations as shown in the images.

This English-made, framed playing field style, chessboard style was in common use until World War II. After the War, much more economical wooden chess boards started appearing from other European countries such as Spain, Poland and Germany. Chessboards bearing the Jaques of London and British Chess Company stamping were all most likely produced by the same factory in the UK.