Seven‑Color Backgammon Board with Rooster Medallions, Circa 1880s–1920s
Material: Maple cutting board with original paint, chip carving, and sgraffito decoration Dimensions: 24" × 19" Origin: United States
Fashioned from a 19th‑century maple cutting board, this vibrant backgammon gameboard transforms a utilitarian household object into a striking piece of rural folk art. The maker employed an unusually rich seven‑color palette—both bold and subtly harmonized—to animate the playing field. At each end, opposing rooster medallions are carved in relief, their borders chip‑carved in the manner of traditional butter prints.
Delicate sgraffito details enliven the composition: stylized plant sprigs appear in the roosters’ beaks, while their tailfeathers are highlighted with fine incised lines. These aesthetic flourishes, combined with the modern‑feeling color choices, reveal a maker with a keen decorative sensibility. The result is a rare example of a functional gameboard elevated through imaginative craftsmanship, bridging everyday life and expressive folk artistry.
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