Limited-Edition Celestial Chess, Backgammon & Checkers Set by Alexandra Llewellyn

Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn

Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn

Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn

Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn

Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn

London-based Alexandra Llewellyn has earned widespread accolades for her painstakingly handcrafted boards and tables for games like chess and backgammon. One of her signature designs is a convertible games table, which can be used for chess, backgammon, and draughts (British for checkers)—and she has exclusively translated this concept into a tabletop format for The Vault.

Limited to an edition of just 10, this set features two marquetry playing surfaces: one for both chess and draughts, the other for backgammon. Each board is meticulously inlaid by hand, using an assortment of woods, metals, and mother-of-pearl and creating an arresting midnight-blue backdrop. The workmanship extends to the outer box, which is wreathed with decorative clouds edged in mother-of-pearl to simulate reflected moonlight.

The set comes with traditional triple-weighted Staunton chess pieces and lapis-lazuli and mother-of-pearl backgammon and draughts playing pieces, plus a piece of history: a resin doubling cube that holds an authentic slice of a meteorite from Mars. And there are two secret, lockable compartments incorporated seamlessly into the design, too.

Each set can be personalized to include such details as laser-engraved dates, initials, or a handwritten message.