A Late 19th / Early 20th Century Faux Book Backgammon & Chess Board

A Late 19th/Early 20th Century Victorian 
Faux Book Backgammon & Chess Board
Tooled leather bound softwood
English, Circa 1900
Measures 45 cm x 45 cm (when open)

An attractive trompe-l'œil games box incorporating leather chess and backgammon boards, designed to resemble a two-volume set of books entitled the 'History of England' '1 & 2',  a popular design during the Fin de Siècle, allowing a set to be placed neatly on a bookshelf. The 'page' sides (fore-edge etc) are covered with marbled paper to resemble pages and, hence, continue the illusion.

This set includes a mahogany sliding-lid box containing the requisite number of counters in boxwood allowing backgammon/draughts to be plaid (15 for backgammon (12 for draughts/chequers)). There are also a good antique pair of leather dice shakers, each with their original two bone dice (four dice on all). 

In wonderful 'country house' condition. Scuffing, scratching, loss and  discolouring to the leather. Knocks to the edges and corners. Leather cracked along the 'bar'. But an elegantly distressed, characterful and highly desirable set. Suitable chess pieces can also be sought.