Stunning Antique Folk Art
NINE-Color Parcheesi Gameboard

Northeast, ca. 1870.

A brilliant interplay of color and movement.   

Graphic, vivid parcheesi game, the reverse in checkers. The parcheesi’s dynamic freehand curved corner fields are amplified against the linear inner dividers.

In a remarkable 9 colors, it offers visual pyrotechnics rarely found in a gameboard of this age.

Single wooden board, bordered by a “square” nailed picture-frame molding, about 20 1/2 inches on each side. A shrinkage split has minimal effect on aesthetic appeal. The fine craquelure surface adds character and authenticity, showcasing its age. No in-painting or restoration—this is a completely original piece. Remarkable visual impact, especially under art light. It’s not just a piece of art; it's a conversation starter, a slice of history, a masterful display of 19th-century folk art imagination.

From a southern Connecticut estate. Underscoring the importance of gameboards as an art form, note the current exhibition at the American Museum of Folk Art in NYC showcasing the collection of Bruce and Doranna Wendel:
https://folkartmuseum.org/exhibitions/playing-with-design-gameboards-art-and-culture/