Antique Folk Art Nine Holes Marble Game Board with Glass Marbles, 1900s

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A charming antique folk art wooden game board for a variation of the traditional Nine Holes marble game, dating to … Read more A charming antique folk art wooden game board for a variation of the traditional Nine Holes marble game, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, circa 1900. Handmade from wood, the circular board features eight recessed and numbered outer holes arranged around a central ninth hole. At its centre is a striking hand-painted eight-point star in deep blue and red, giving the piece a particularly decorative folk-art character. The board is accompanied by a collection of colourful glass marbles, including attractive swirled examples in red, blue, orange, pink and white tones. Nine Holes is an old game with numerous regional variations, and the unusual arrangement and hand-painted decoration of this example suggest an individually made version rather than a mass-produced commercial board. The painted surface displays extensive rubbing, scratches, losses and general play wear consistent with considerable use and age. Rather than detracting from the piece, this gives the board an appealing, authentic character and clearly reflects its history as a functional game. Today, it works equally well as a collectible piece of antique folk art, gaming history or decorative Americana/British folk art, particularly when displayed with its colourful marbles. Period: Circa 1900 Materials: Painted wood, glass Condition: Good antique condition with substantial age-related wear, paint loss, scratches and marks consistent with historic use. Associated marbles included. See less