Game table with marquetry and inlay decoration, Syria, 19th century

Modular Syrian game table veneered in precious woods, adorned with marquetry and inlays of mother-of-pearl and ivory on each side. Open, this Syrian game table features a trictrac or backgammon board and a chessboard. The closed game board is sheathed in ochre leather, which doubles as a writing table. Our trictrac is inlaid inside the table itself, in a hollowed-out central section. On the belt, there are four holes cut into the thickness of the table to accommodate counters or candlesticks. The tabletop is covered in red velvet and rests on a modern gilded metal base. A rotating system makes it easy to modulate the table by folding it onto its base to make it rectangular. When closed, this game table retains its splendid marquetry decor.

What is trictrac?

Trictrac is a board game that was very fashionable in France in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was played particularly at court and in aristocratic circles. This board game is one of the "jeux de hasard raisonné", such as backgammon, which was also known in France as jacquet, a much simpler game that didn't appear until around 1800. Today, this type of game table, with its particularly fine marquetry, is highly sought-after by collectors.

Circa: 1890

Dim: L: 84,5cm, P: 43cm, H: 82,5cm.
Dim: W: 33,3in, D: 16,9in, H: 32,5in.

Condition report: In good condition. Some missing inlays restored.