Games Board thumbnail 1
Games Board thumbnail 2
+3
images
Not on display

Games Board

1500-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Spain (made)

This gaming board dates from the 16th century and was probably made in Spain by Christian woodworkers. The patterns include ribbon motifs that were characteristic of European work, but the complex, small-scale geometric motifs derive from Islamic designs that originated in the Middle East. At that time, the Eastern Mediterranean sat firmly in the centre of the known world and its connections with East and South Asia, Europe and Africa, made it a hub of great trade routes. Its artists and craftsmen produced large quantities of work for export but the trade routes also carried ideas for design that were then taken up by craftsmen all around the Mediterranean.

Object details

Category
Games
Object type
Games board
Materials and techniques
Woods, including chestnut, with ivory inlay
Wood
Ivory
Chestnut
Inlay (Process)
Brief description
Games board for chess and backgammon, of several woods including chestnut, with ivory inlay
Physical description
A games board for chess and backgammon, in several woods with inlay in chestnut and ivory
Dimensions
  • Width: 53cm (Note: Open: W:530mm; H:487mm; Thickness: 20mm Closed: W: 263mm (266 with hinges) H: 487mm; Thickness:43mm Dimensions from catalogue: 53.3 x 48.2 cm )
  • Height: 48.7cm
Gallery label
(5 Oct 2006 - 7 Jan 2007)
Games Board
16th century

An example of exquisite craftsmanship, this folding games board for chess and backgammon was both portable and ornate. The geometric border, of Middle-Eastern inspiration, was intended to look three-dimensional. Games boards ranged from plain wooden examples to elaborately decorative examples like this. With their chivalric and military associations, chess and backgammon were among the most popular elite games.

Spain
Chestnut wood with ivory marquetry
V&A: 7849-1861
(Pre-2006)
GAMES BOARD
Wood inlaid with geometric
marquetry of ivory and chestnut
ITALIAN; about 1500
7849-1861

Games such as chess or backgammon were probably the past time of young members of a princely court. Such board games were played by both men and women.
Summary
This gaming board dates from the 16th century and was probably made in Spain by Christian woodworkers. The patterns include ribbon motifs that were characteristic of European work, but the complex, small-scale geometric motifs derive from Islamic designs that originated in the Middle East. At that time, the Eastern Mediterranean sat firmly in the centre of the known world and its connections with East and South Asia, Europe and Africa, made it a hub of great trade routes. Its artists and craftsmen produced large quantities of work for export but the trade routes also carried ideas for design that were then taken up by craftsmen all around the Mediterranean.
Bibliographic references
  • Tim Stanley (ed.), with Mariam Rosser-Owen and Stephen Vernoit, Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East , London, V&A Publications, 2004 p.130
  • Pollen, J. H. Ancient and Modern Furniture & Woodwork in the South Kensington Museum (London, 1924), p.169
  • Türkische Kunst und Kultur aus osmanischer Zeit. Museum fur Kunsthandwerk Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt am Main (Verlag: Aurel Bongers, 1985), p. 330
  • Ajmar-Wollheim, Marta and Flora Dennis, At Home in Renaissance Italy, London: V&A Publishing, 2006.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
7849-1861

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 20, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O106618/games-board-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest