Play the Game – On an Antique Card Table From Regent Antiques

Most of us don’t spend a lot of time every day playing cards or other games, with the exception of teenagers who cannot be separated from their games consoles, so we wouldn’t necessarily set aside a space in the home to do that on a permanent basis. However, when a game of cards, chess or whatever takes your fancy, seems like a good idea, it would be nice to have a suitable surface on which to play.

That’s the thinking behind the piece of furniture that has kept its popularity for many years now – the antique card table, sometimes called a games table.

The special quality that these games tables have is one of versatility – the playing surface is not normally visible. When not being used for playing cards the games table looks, and can be used, just like any other table of its period. When you fancy a few hands of cards however the table surface can be transformed into a playing surface, often with a baize finish which is perfect for playing card games.

Here at Regent Antiques we have been seeking out and offering for sale all kinds of tables, our speciality being dining tables of course, but we also offer a fine range of card tables and games tables and we’ve selected a few examples here for you to look at.

We start with this antique French walnut and marquetry card table with fabulous ormolu mounts dating from around 1910:

Antique French Walnut Marquetry & Ormolu Card Table c. 1910

This is a beautifully made table, inlaid with delightful floral marquetry and adorned with a plethora of exquisite ormolu mounts. The table stands on elegant cabriole legs which terminate with gilded acanthus sabots.

The surface of the table simply swivels into place when required to reveal the baize playing surface  and a compartment beneath for storing playing cards and other items.

This table is offered for sale at just £1850, having been lovingly restored in our own workshop and in super condition. The dimensions of the table are as follows:

Height 80cm  x Width 90cm x Depth 46cm when closed and Height 80cm x Width 90cm x Depth 90cm – when opened up to reveal the playing surface

We can ship this lovely table worldwide, please contact us for a quote. UK mainland shipping is free.

Our next example is this antique William IV rosewood card table, circa 1830 in date:

Antique Card Table – William IV Rosewood Dating From Around 1830

Here is an older table, brought to you in excellent condition, which has been expertly made from rosewood that has been French polished to highlight the beautiful grain of the wood.

When opened up the playing surface is lined with the traditional green baize and there is a compartment  for storing playing cards and other items.

This table is designed to stand on a substantial and beautifully made centre base and rests on shaped feet with carved decoration which is typical of the William IV period.

How much space will it occupy? The dimensions are as follows:

Height 75cm x Width 92cm x Depth 45cm when closed and Height 75cm  x Width 92cm x Depth 92cm when fully opened.

Just £1500 is the price of this useful and attractive card table and we will ship worldwide, please request a shipping quotation to your location.

Finally we move to the Victorian era, the Victorians were great card game enthusiasts, we would ask you to take a look at this attractive English antique Victorian card table in burr walnut with green baize playing surface, circa 1860 in date:

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Card Table

A particular feature of this table is the superb hand-carving to the solid walnut base which stands on four turned, down swept supports which are fitted with their original porcelain and brass castors. We have restored this table in our own workshop and offer it for sale at £1450. There is a baize lined playing surface:

Plus, the customary storage area beneath the table’s surface:

All of which combines to make this a very desirable card table which will occupy only a very reasonable amount of space, being 89cm square when fully opened yet closing down to just 89 x 44.5cm closed.

Regent Antiques will pack and ship any of our tables worldwide so please request a quote for your destination. Our experts are always on hand to offer help and advice, just call +44 20 8809 9605 or email us on info@regentantiques.com.