Chess table - Wood - game table

Early 19th-century flip-top gaming table with an inlaid chessboard.

A refined early-19th-century gaming table, designed for chess and playing cards, that exemplifies the sober elegance and the refined craftsmanship of the era. The table combines decorative refinement with practical functionality, making it an ideal piece for a drawing room, a library, or a study.

The rectangular flip-top is beautifully veneered and carefully crafted from contrasting woods. The central inlaid chessboard is made of maple and walnut, creating a light and balanced two-tone pattern. Around the chessboard, the peripheral edge is veneered in cherry, introducing a warm tonal contrast. The entire composition is further enhanced by a delicate maple stringing, which subtly frames the surface and underscores its refined geometry.

Once opened, the table reveals a wide playing surface covered in green felt, perfectly suited for card games such as bridge or whist. The original hinge mechanism operates smoothly and securely.

The table rests on four slender, tapered, vertically fluted legs, with clean block transitions and small square feet—a refined Neoclassical detail characteristic of furniture from the early 19th century. The structural elements are partly made of solid walnut, with a rich color and an attractive natural patina.