Antique Holtzapffel Backgammon Counters, 19th Century

a set of thirty backgammon counters, turned on a Holtzapffel lathe in a light wood, 15 counters dark brown, 15 counters in a lighter coloured wood in a red leather and gilt-tooled box with a hinged lid, wood lined interior and watered silk to the underside.

Counter Diameter: 2.5cm

Counter Height: 2.5mm

Box: 15cm wide, 10cm deep, 4cm high

Stock Reference: MJ 1979

During the 19th century ornamental turning on a lathe became a fashionable hobby or pastime for the upper class gentlemen. John Jacob Holtzapffel (bn. Alsace 1768) had established a workshop in London at the beginning of the 19th century, and built up a reputation as a maker of quality lathes and tools. His customers included monarchs and the nobility of Europe, and London became the world centre for the hobby of ornamental turning.