American Painted Folk Art Game Board for Checkers or Chess, C. 1840

Details

Description

A boldly graphic American folk art game board, hand-painted in red, black, and forest green with yellow dividing lines, dating … Read more A boldly graphic American folk art game board, hand-painted in red, black, and forest green with yellow dividing lines, dating to the mid-19th century, circa 1840–1860. Constructed from a single wide board or joined panel with chamfered edges, the surface has been laid out in an 8 x 8 square grid, suitable for checkers or chess, with alternating red and black squares within a yellow ruled framework. The playing field is bordered in deep green, framed by an outer edge painted in a saturated red, showing characteristic age-related wear and chipping consistent with utilitarian use.

This type of board, with its unembellished but striking palette and handmade construction, is emblematic of American rural craftsmanship in the antebellum period. Likely created for domestic leisure, such boards were often made in small workshops or by itinerant artisans and intended for practical entertainment rather than retail sale. The survival of original surface paint with authentic craquelure and abrasions enhances the object's folk aesthetic and contributes to its collectible appeal.



Measures:

15" square See less