Tawla (backgammon) board with mother-of-pearl inlay
The cafe game of Egypt in heirloom form — hand-inlaid boards at a quarter of what the identical craft costs once it reaches a Western import shop.
Price: 4500 EGP (Honest settled range E£2,500-8,000 (~US$50-165) for genuine wood + real shell inlay depending on size and coverage; opening quotes run E£8,000-20,000)
Where to buy: Woodwork and inlay shops in Khan el-Khalili and around Al-Muizz Street, Cairo
Price checked 2026-07-03
- Real mother-of-pearl vs plastic test: real shell is cool to the touch, shows shifting iridescence at angles, and pieces are slightly irregular; plastic inlay is uniform, warm, and dead-white
- Check the hinge and that the pieces/dice are included; camel-bone pieces beat plastic
- Textbook 30-50% haggle item — the first price assumes you don't know the game
- Also sold as combined chess/backgammon boxes