Games table - Wood, Bronze

Empire-style gaming table. Portuguese, from the 19th century, Empire taste, made of ebony wood, veneered and with other woods. Rectangular, hinged top, opening to reveal the interior intended for gaming, covered in green felt. The body features architectural lines and a symmetrical composition, resting on a central pyramidal-configured column, decorated with carved elements, on a wavy-edged base, ending in feet with a zoological inspiration. The piece’s composition shows a decorative language with a strong Empire influence, particularly visible in the architectural conception of the central column, the symmetry of the structure, and the monumental character of the base. The use of ebony veneer, combined with other woods, gives the surface a decorative effect marked by contrast and the natural grain pattern. The central column has carved decoration and rises from a carved base, providing stability while imparting a sculptural character to the whole. The stylized zoomorphic feet are among the piece’s most interesting artistic elements, introducing a hint of animal-inspired influence into a classical taste structure. The hinged top, when opened, provides a surface suitable for playing cards, with the interior lined in felt, a feature characteristic of 19th-century game tables. When closed, it assumes the appearance of a small side table, allowing its use in domestic spaces beyond its original function. This is a representative example of 19th-century Portuguese furniture in Empire taste, potentially situated in the transitional production toward Romanticism, a period in which classical and imperial models continued to exert strong influence on furniture. Signs of use compatible with age. Felt interior needing replacement. Dimensions: 79 × 85 × 42 cm.