Folding Games Board by Clark

Made of ebony with silver plated fittings and a green baized playing surface, this folding Games Board has a leather travelling case.

The board folds in half to pack away but has silver plated sliding bolts to lock it when used. It is baized to both sides with ivory bezique scoring markers to one side. Although these boards could be used on a table they were principally designed to sit on the knees of 2 players sat opposite each other on a train or coach. The leather case is fitted to the interior to hold the board and protect the overhanging scoring tabs. This Bezique Board is marked in 2 places to the silver plated fitting and to the inside of the case with the retailer's name Clark, 20 Old Bond St. Alfred Clark was a silversmith but also listed himself as a Dressing Bag maker. He dealt in the top end of the market and counted Royalty amongst his customers with Edward VII owning one of his walking canes and a silver cigarette case given to him by his brother Bertie. Clark also sold campaign cutlery barrels, fitted travelling trunks, travel barometers, engraved seals etc. Clark was at Bond Street from the 1890s to after 1915. The use of silver plate against solid ebony is striking and this Games Board fits in well with Clark's reputation for quality. Circa 1900.

Size to play is given.