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Games Tables

An Overview.

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Tilt Top Tables

These tables appeared about 1725 onwards known as “supping tables”.The tilt tops allowed them to be stored againstthe wall when not in use.

Fig. 1 Mid Victorian Circular Tilt Top Table 1870

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Pedestal TablesThese tables increased in size by

the 1750’s and were made for poker games. The style of pedestal changed over the years.

Fig. 2 Types of pedestals

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Card Table

Fig. 3 American Mahogany Card Table 1840s – 50s Mixture of Regency and Rococo styles

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Games Table

Fig. 4. Rosewood chess table with brass inlay and demi-lune ends. Lyre shaped legs What designer featured Lyres a lot in his work?

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Burr Walnut Games Table

Fig. 5. & 6. Games and work table 1860sWork table – needle work or lace work.Swivel top opens to reveal chessboard, cribbage and backgammon.

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Games Table

Fig. 7. Fold over games table 1750s. Plain hand cut mahogany veneer, top is supported by a fly leg. Very straight take on the cabriole leg with club foot.

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Games Table

Fig. 8. Writing & Games table Sheraton period 1795. Mahogany with high class veneering and inlay. The top turns over to reveal Backgammon board. Note the pull out ink compartment on the side.

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Games Table

Fig. 9. Chess table 1850

Mahogany veneered table with silhouette showing people playing at the table

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Games Table

Fig. 10 Games table George 111 mid 17th Century Walnut with high class veneering and inlay. Many different game boards

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Irish Games Table

Fig. 11 Irish mid Georgian yew card table. 1740 -1775.Bog oak and dark stained mahogany were very popular wood for Irish furniture.

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Past Cabinet-making ExamThis plans of this table were

given to Phase 6 Apprentices. They had to create the table to the drawings given in 12hours to a polishing standard.

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Games Table

View from side

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Games Table

View from front. Chess board box could be disguised as front rail at top

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Games Table

Drawer at bottom this could be your chess board box

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Bottom Drawer could be your chess board box

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Front of rail is wrapped around leg.

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References Images Fig. 1 to 8 taken from:

BBC Books (1991)Antiques Roadshow. London. Marshalls Editions Developments LTD.

Images Fig. 9 to 11 taken from: BBC Books Antiques Roadshow. The A-Z of Antiques Hunting. London: Headwater Communications