The board of this cribbage game is carved from a walrus tusk. It has ornamental animals in relief and various engraved elements.
A deck of cards and a pegged board to keep track of the scores; cribbage is no Johnny-come-lately. Pegs have been found in Egyptian tombs dating as far back as 1800 B.C.
In the early 15th century, the astute Englishman Sir John Suckling codified the rules of the game. He also made his own cards, which he marked and sent throughout England. He made his fortune at the game, winning exorbitant sums of money by “reading” his opponents' hand.
Cribbage is especially popular among the North American Inuit, who carve magnificent cribbage boards from walrus tusks.
