GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This inlaid ivory backgammon board has three small wooden figures inside, which the winner of the game could make pop up by pulling cords attached to them. Images of women framed by cartouches embellish its surface along with intricate geometric patterns. The board folds to a small size, making it suitable for traveling.
Games played with dice or movable pieces were well known in India from ancient times to the present. Chess, and other games such as Snakes and Ladders, were invented in India before spreading to other societies. Games played with dice are known from the great Indian epics, and dice were found in Indus Valley sites dating from 2500 to 1500 BCE. Backgammon, however, came to India from the Middle East and enjoyed popularity along with chess.
Adapted from
- Anne Bromberg, Label text, 2003.
- "Folding backgammon board" in The Arts of India, South East Asia, and the Himalayas, Anne R. Bromberg (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 121.
NOTES
Fun fact comes from catalogue essay.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
India (nation): TGN: 7000198
Process/materials
inlays (decorations): AAT: 300256033
ivory (material): AAT: 300011857
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
Historical periods
Mughal: AAT: 300018939
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
Individuals
Subject terms
backgammon: AAT: 300222747
cartouches (ornament): AAT: 300010256
chess (board games): AAT: 300222748
dice (game pieces): AAT: 300211084
games (activities): AAT: 300069657
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
Middle East (region): TGN: 7001526
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood~Explore the history of backgammon.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- The three wooden figures that pop up from recessions in the board are modern replacements. The original figures would likely have been carved in ivory.
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 2017.35.8
Category
rules_operator
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General Description
This inlaid ivory backgammon board has three small wooden figures inside, which the winner of the game could make pop up by pulling cords attached to them. Images of women framed by cartouches embellish its surface along with intricate geometric patterns. The board folds to a small size, making it suitable for traveling.
Games played with dice or movable pieces were well known in India from ancient times to the present. Chess, and other games such as Snakes and Ladders, were invented in India before spreading to other societies. Games played with dice are known from the great Indian epics, and dice were found in Indus Valley sites dating from 2500 to 1500 BCE. Backgammon, however, came to India from the Middle East and enjoyed popularity along with chess.
Adapted from
- Anne Bromberg, Label text, 2003.
- "Folding backgammon board" in The Arts of India, South East Asia, and the Himalayas, Anne R. Bromberg (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 121.
Fun Facts
- The three wooden figures that pop up from recessions in the board are modern replacements. The original figures would likely have been carved in ivory.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Fun fact comes from catalogue essay.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
India (nation): TGN: 7000198
Process/materials
inlays (decorations): AAT: 300256033
ivory (material): AAT: 300011857
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
Historical periods
Mughal: AAT: 300018939
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
Individuals
Subject terms
backgammon: AAT: 300222747
cartouches (ornament): AAT: 300010256
chess (board games): AAT: 300222748
dice (game pieces): AAT: 300211084
games (activities): AAT: 300069657
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
Middle East (region): TGN: 7001526
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
2017.35.8
source file
object_notes_2_a-0618.xml.nores