Board games, chess, backgammon

Board games, chess sets and backgammon sets: works of art, collectors’ items and decorative objects

At the crossroads of art, entertainment and interior design, theboard games, chess and backgammon For centuries, they have held a special place in homes. As objects of pleasure and conviviality, they can also become genuine collector’s items, bearing witness to a craftsman’s skill, the refinement of an era or a designer’s imagination.

From antique carved wooden games to contemporary marble chess sets, from leather backgammon sets to decorative board games made of brass, bronze, mother-of-pearl or semi-precious stones, these objects combine function, aesthetics and history. They fit perfectly into a library, a living room, a study, a games room or on a coffee table, where they can be left on display as genuine decorative pieces.

Galerie Martynoff Paris offers a selection ofantique, vintage, modern and contemporary board games, chosen for their quality, originality, materials and decorative appeal. Chess sets, chessboards, backgammon, draughts, dominoes, card games, dice games, game sets and other board games come together to create a world where the joy of playing meets the joy of collecting.

Chess sets and chessboards

Thechess set is probably one of the world’s most iconic strategy games. Over the centuries, the chessboard and its pieces have inspired countless artistic interpretations, ranging from traditional wooden designs to the most sculptural creations of contemporary design.

A chess set can be made from a wide variety of materials:solid wood, precious wood, exotic wood, ebony, rosewood, mahogany, walnut, boxwood, maple, oak, olive wood, as well as bronze, brass, silver-plated metal, silver, aluminium, steel, glass, crystal, ceramics, porcelain, resin and composite materials.

The most sophisticated models may also use themarble, onyx, alabaster, quartz, lapis lazuli, malachite, agate, mother-of-pearl, bone or other natural materials and decorative stones.

The chessboard can be crafted using particularly intricate cabinet-making techniques: wood marquetry, inlay, veneering, a chequerboard pattern in contrasting woods, or a combination of wood and metal. The squares may also be made from two different types of marble, polished stone, glass or contemporary materials.

The pieces themselves are sometimes veritable miniature sculptures. The king, queen, bishops, knights, rooks and pawns may take on a traditional form or be transformed into historical, military, mythological or fantastical figures.

Some chess sets are designed as much to be admired as to be played on. Placed on a coffee table, a desk or a console table, they become veritabledecorative and collectable items.

Backgammon: elegance and tradition

Thebackgammon It is one of the oldest board games still played today. Combining chance, calculation and strategy, it also has a particularly distinctive aesthetic.

Backgammon boards can be made from a wide variety of materials and finishes. Traditional models may be crafted from wood and marquetry, whilst luxury designs often make use ofleather, sheathed leather, embossed leather, velvet, felt, precious wood, mother-of-pearl, brass, bronze, marble or decorative stones.

The game boards can be fold-out or built into rigid cases. Some models come in the form of an elegant case for storing game pieces, dice and accessories.

The contrast between colours plays a key role in the aesthetics of backgammon. Black and white, brown and ivory, red and black, blue and white, green and cream, beige and chocolate, or even multicoloured combinations, all help to create pieces that are as decorative as they are functional.

Aluxury backgammon It can therefore fit just as well into a classic interior as it can into a decidedly contemporary scheme.

Checkers and board games

The game of draughts shares the principle of the chequered board with chess. Its graphic simplicity makes it possible to create particularly elegant pieces.

Traditional chequerboard patterns can be created using marquetry, painted wood, carved wood or veneer, whilst modern and contemporary designs may combine glass, metal, resin, marble or composite materials.

Some boards are reversible, allowing you to combine several games in a single set: chess and draughts, backgammon and draughts, or even several traditional board games.

These multifunctional objects were particularly popular in drawing rooms, libraries and private social circles, where games were an important social activity.

Dominoes, dice and other small board games

Theantique and collectable dominoes are also sought after for their decorative appeal. Presented in their original box or in a specially designed case, they can make delightful curiosities.

The pieces may be made from wood, bone, mother-of-pearl, ivory substitute, resin, Bakelite or contemporary materials. The cases, meanwhile, may be made from precious wood, leather, metal, laminated cardboard or marquetry.

Dice sets also come in a wide variety of shapes and materials. Dice made of wood, metal, stone, glass or resin may be accompanied by leather cups or decorative boxes.

These little games, which are often easy to display on a bookshelf or a coffee table, add a playful and original touch to the décor.

Card games and accessories

Card games have given rise to a wide range of decorative accessories:card boxes, cases, pouches, dispensers, card holders and gaming tables.

The boxes may be leather-bound, upholstered in fabric, made from precious wood or embellished with details in gold, brass, silver or mother-of-pearl.

Card games and their accessories fit perfectly into an elegant home, an office, a library or a dedicated leisure area.

Box sets containing cards, dice, tokens and other accessories are particularly popular as decorative items or gifts.

A wide variety of high-quality materials

The richness of both historical and contemporary board games lies largely in the variety of materials used to make them.

Thewood remains one of the most important historical materials. Oak, walnut, mahogany, rosewood, ebony, boxwood, maple, olive and various exotic woods can be used to create warm and refined designs.

Themarquetry adds an extra dimension by combining several types of wood to create chequered patterns, geometric designs, frames or figurative motifs.

Themarble and decorative stones lend chessboards and board games a particularly sculptural quality. White, black, green or veined marble, onyx, alabaster, malachite, lapis lazuli, agate and other stones can be used to create spectacular designs.

Themetal allows for a wide variety of designs depending on the techniques used. Bronze, brass, copper, aluminium, steel, chrome-plated metal, silver-plated or gold-plated metal can be polished, patinated, engraved or sculpted.

Theglass and crystal They lend a sense of transparency and lightness. They are particularly well suited to modern and contemporary designs, where the tabletop itself can become a geometric sculpture.

Theceramics and porcelain These, in turn, enable the production of pieces that are painted, enamelled or hand-decorated.

Theleather It is particularly common in backgammon sets, gift boxes and accessories. Whether smooth, textured, embossed or coloured, it provides a luxurious finish that is pleasant to the touch.

Themother-of-pearl, used as inlay or in certain jewellery pieces, offers subtle shimmer that emphasises the object’s precious nature.

Finally, theresin, Plexiglas, acrylic and composite materials have enabled modern and contemporary designers to devise new shapes and new colour combinations.

Classic and historical styles

Board games can reflect the major periods in the history of the decorative arts.

Stylish itemsLouis XIV tend to favour a majestic aesthetic, fine woods and sophisticated décor.

StyleLouis XV is characterised by a pursuit of elegance and refinement, with softer lines and decorative motifs inspired by 18th-century decorative arts.

StyleLouis XVI reflects a return to more rigorous geometry, symmetry and references to antiquity.

Stylish games and accessoriesEmpire may use dark woods combined with gilded bronze and motifs inspired by Greco-Roman antiquity.

In the 19th century, the stylesThe Restoration, Charles X, Napoleon III and the historicists give rise to particularly decorative objects, often characterised by the richness of their materials and ornamentation.

Art Nouveau and Art Deco

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, theArt Nouveau introduced organic lines, botanical motifs and a new approach to the decorative arts. Carved wood, marquetry and wrought metal could then transform play accessories into genuine works of art.

From the 1920s onwards, theArt Deco Instead, it emphasises geometry, contrasts and precious materials. Ebony, rosewood, shagreen, lacquer, chrome-plated metal, ivory-coloured plastic, glass and marble are combined to create elegant designs.

Art Deco chess sets, backgammon sets and game sets are particularly well-suited to interiors seeking a sophisticated, graphic aesthetic.

20th-century design, vintage and contemporary

The 20th century brought about a profound transformation in the aesthetics of games.

The 1940s and 1950s celebrated clean lines and woodwork. Thedesign from the 1950s and 1960sIt then explores more graphic and functional silhouettes.

The 1970s saw the widespread introduction of new materials: chrome-plated metal, Plexiglas, resin, tinted glass and bold colours.

The designs from the 1980s and 1990s continue this exploration by playing with geometric shapes, volumes and artistic references.

Today, thestylish, contemporary chess sets can be regarded as true sculptures. Some designers radically reinterpret traditional pieces, whilst others focus on the purity of the materials.

A contemporary marble chess set, a leather-bound backgammon set or a sculptural metal board game can thus become a central feature of the décor.

Figurative, historical and themed games

Some chess sets move away from traditional designs to feature characters.

The pieces may evokearmies, kings and queens, knights, emperors, mythological figures, ancient civilisations, historical events or imaginary worlds.

Each piece then becomes a small sculpture, and taken together they can form a veritable miniature collection.

These figurative sculptures are particularly interesting when they are handmade, carved, moulded, weathered or painted.

They appeal to chess enthusiasts as much as they do to collectors of sculptures and curiosities.

Games as decorative items

Games are no longer necessarily put away after use. A beautiful chess set or backgammon set can be left on display in the home at all times.

On acoffee table, a chess set immediately adds a visual element. On a desk, it evokes thought and strategy. In a library, a set of games naturally complements a collection of books and works of art.

In a contemporary interior, a marble or metal chessboard can be used as a genuine sculptural piece. In a classic décor, an antique marquetry chess set adds warmth and authenticity.

Large-format pieces can even become key features in the interior design of a living room, a games room, a hotel, a private club or a reception area.

Vintage games and collectables

Avintage board game has a history that goes beyond its mere function.

Signs of wear, patina, past restorations and minor variations resulting from handcrafted production often add to the charm of these objects.

For collectors, several factors may be important: period, origin, manufacturer, designer, quality of craftsmanship, rarity, condition and the presence of original parts.

A complete set that has retained all its accessories may be of particular interest, as may a set with a documented provenance or one attributed to a recognised craftsman.

Traditional games can also provide an insight into the social customs of a particular era and the way in which leisure activities were integrated into the decorative arts.

Handcrafted production and craftsmanship

Behind some games lie true crafts.

Cabinetmakers, marquetry artists, sculptors, bronze casters, leatherworkers, glassmakers, potters and specialist craftspeople may all be involved in the creation of a single piece.

A marquetry chessboard requires great precision to achieve a perfectly even checkerboard pattern. A carved set demands meticulous work to ensure that each piece has its own identity whilst maintaining the overall harmony of the set.

The manufacture of a leather-covered backgammon set also requires a perfect command of cutting, assembly, stitching and finishing.

This artisanal aspect explains why some games go far beyond their original purpose to become genuineart and design objects.

An original and sophisticated gift idea

A beautiful set also makes for a particularly elegant gift idea.

A wooden chess set, a marble chessboard, a leather backgammon set, a set of dominoes or a pack of playing cards presented in an elegant box would make a lovely gift for a birthday, a wedding, a housewarming, Christmas or any other occasion.

Unlike a mere decorative object, a game is meant to be played with, shared and passed on. It creates memories and can be passed down through the generations.

An antique toy or a high-quality contemporary creation can thus become a genuine family heirloom.

Collecting chess and backgammon sets

The collection of games can be organised around a wide range of themes.

Some collectors are on the lookout forAntique chessboards, whilst others prefer carved pieces, figurative games, designer creations, luxury backgammon sets or even games made from a particular material.

It is also possible to build a collection centred on a particular period: the 18th century, the 19th century, Art Deco, the 1950s, the 1970s or contemporary design.

Materials can also serve as a unifying theme: toys made from precious woods, marble, bronze, glass or decorative stones.

This diversity makes board games a particularly rich field for collecting, bringing together history, craftsmanship and design.

Vintage and contemporary board games at Galerie Martynoff Paris

Galerie Martynoff Paris selectsboard games, chess sets, chessboards and backgammon sets for their aesthetic quality, decorative appeal, craftsmanship and originality.

Our selection includes antique, vintage, modern and contemporary pieces: wooden and marquetry chessboards, carved chess sets, marble and natural stone boards, leather backgammon sets, decorative games, boxes and accessories.

Every object has its own character. Some captivate with their patina and history, whilst others with the quality of their materials or the modernity of their design.

From traditional games to genuine works of art, our selection appeals to players as well as to lovers of antiques, interior design, furniture and design.

Because a game of chess or backgammon can be botha source of entertainment, a decorative item, a sculpture and a collector’s item, , Galerie Martynoff Paris offers pieces that fit seamlessly into both classic and contemporary interiors.

Whether it’s aAn antique chessboard made of precious wood, a bronze chess set, a marble chessboard, a leather backgammon set, a vintage games set or a contemporary design, each piece reflects, in its own way, the ongoing dialogue between play, art and interior design.

Discover our selection ofantique and contemporary board games, chess sets, chessboards, backgammon sets and decorative collector’s items, selected with the discerning eye and high standards of Galerie Martynoff Paris.