There are board games, and then there are board games that become heirlooms. The OliveArt Olive Wood 2-in-1 Handcrafted Backgammon and Chess Set is firmly in the second category. Hand-carved from sustainably sourced Tunisian olive wood, with a full set of individually crafted pieces for both chess and backgammon, this is a 40cm x 40cm folding masterpiece that belongs on a coffee table, not in a cupboard. At £148, it’s the kind of purchase that gets better with every passing year.
The Story Behind the Wood
Olive wood is extraordinary. Grown slowly in the Tunisian sunshine over centuries, each tree develops a grain pattern that is entirely unique — no two pieces of olive wood are ever alike. When an olive tree reaches the end of its fruit-bearing life, rather than being discarded, the artisans at OliveArt transform it into something that will last another lifetime. It’s a philosophy of respect for nature and craft that you can feel in every piece.
- 🌳 Sustainably sourced olive wood — bought in small batches from trees that have reached the end of their productive life.
- ✨ Naturally hard and resistant — olive wood is famously durable, naturally antibacterial, and moisture-resistant.
- 🎨 Every board is unique — the grain, colour, and character of your set will be unlike any other in the world.
- 🔨 Hand-carved pieces — every chess and backgammon piece is individually carved by skilled artisans.
- 📀 40cm x 40cm folding board — opens to a 32cm x 32cm playing area, folds neatly for storage.
Real-Life Usage Situations
🏠 The Living Room Centrepiece
This set is too beautiful to put away. Leave it open on the coffee table and it becomes a conversation piece that draws people in — guests will pick up the pieces, admire the grain, and inevitably want to play. The natural warmth of olive wood works with virtually any interior style, from rustic farmhouse to contemporary minimalist. It’s the rare object that is simultaneously functional and genuinely decorative.
🎁 The Gift That Genuinely Impresses
Finding a gift for someone who has everything is one of life’s great challenges. A handcrafted olive wood chess and backgammon set is the answer. It’s personal, it’s beautiful, it’s useful, and it’s something the recipient will keep and use for decades. For significant birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, Father’s Day, or Christmas, this is the gift that arrives in a box and immediately becomes a treasured possession. At £148, it sits at a price point that says “I really thought about this”.
♟️ The Chess Player’s Upgrade
If you play chess seriously — or know someone who does — the difference between playing on a plastic roll-up board and playing on a handcrafted olive wood set is profound. The weight of the pieces, the texture of the board, the visual beauty of the grain — it elevates the game from a pastime to a ritual. Serious players who invest in their equipment play better, enjoy the game more, and are far more likely to introduce others to chess. This set does all of that.
🎲 Family Game Nights, Elevated
Chess and backgammon are two of the oldest and most enduring games in human history — and having both in one beautiful set means you’re covered for any mood, any age group, and any occasion. Backgammon is faster and more luck-dependent, making it brilliant for mixed-ability family play. Chess rewards patience and strategy. Together, they give you a lifetime of game nights without ever needing to buy another board game.
🏢 The Office or Study Statement Piece
A handcrafted olive wood chess set on a desk or in a study signals something about the person who owns it — an appreciation for craft, for strategy, for things made to last. It’s the kind of object that makes an office feel like a place of thought rather than just work. For professionals who want their workspace to reflect their values, this set is a quiet but powerful statement.
Is £148 Good Value? Absolutely.
Let’s put this in context. Mass-produced chess sets in plastic or cheap wood cost £15–40 and look exactly like what they are. Mid-range wooden chess sets from mainstream retailers typically run £60–£120 — and they’re machine-made, uniform, and forgettable. Handcrafted chess sets from specialist artisan makers start at £200 and go well beyond £500 for comparable quality.
The OliveArt 2-in-1 set at £148 gives you a genuinely handcrafted olive wood board, individually hand-carved pieces for two complete games, and a folding design that makes it practical as well as beautiful — all from sustainably sourced wood with a story behind every grain. That’s exceptional value for a piece that will genuinely last a lifetime and improve with age as the wood develops its patina.
This is not a purchase you’ll regret. It’s the kind of thing you’ll still have in 30 years, still playing on, still showing to people who visit.
Caring for Your Olive Wood Set
Olive wood is easy to care for and rewards a little attention with decades of beautiful use. Periodically apply a small amount of food-grade mineral oil or olive oil to the board and pieces to keep the wood nourished and prevent drying. Keep it away from prolonged direct sunlight and extreme heat. The natural oils in olive wood mean it’s naturally resistant to moisture and bacteria — but it’s not a dishwasher item. Treat it with the respect it deserves and it will last generations.
Own a Piece of Living History
The OliveArt Olive Wood 2-in-1 Handcrafted Backgammon and Chess Set is available now at ALTOE for £148. Two timeless games. One extraordinary piece of craftsmanship. Yours forever.
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