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Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian
Sold by London Fine Antiques
sold SA1175423
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
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Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian

19th century
Sold 20 November 2025 · London Fine Antiques
This “Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian” found a buyer.

It was listed by London Fine Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

This is an antique games compendium. An English, mahogany gaming case by Gale & Lawday, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. A superb and comprehensive set, this compendium offers a wealth of classic games within an elegant and comprehensive presentation box — a true celebration of Victorian leisure and craftsmanship.

Mahogany case of fine quality with beautiful grain interest and rich caramel hues

Produced by the esteemed makers Gale & Lawday, Liverpool and London

Set across two tiers — an upper section with fitted tray and a drawer below

Dressed to the fascia with an oval lock escutcheon —untested, key absent

Upper section contains counters, playing cards, and a variety of game pieces

Lower drawer hosts a fine selection of chess pieces, dominoes, and instruction manuals

Held securely from above by a long pin, the drawer fascia with recessed brass handle

Unmarked brass oval plaque to the lid offers an opportunity to personalise if required

Lid interior hosts the Chess board, behind which sits a marble solitaire board, with accompanying pieces included

Three-in-one board cleverly designed - Chess board reverses for Backgammon, and folds out for Steeplechase

Includes six metal horse tokens for Steeplechase play, with chess pieces and counters present

Set also includes coin counters, a mechanical pencil for score keeping, and multiple decks of cards

Several rule books supplied, including Bezique and Patience, among others

Displays a pleasingly aged patina, with smooth drawer action and secure hinges

A superb example of Victorian ingenuity and entertainment, perfect for collectors and enthusiasts alike

Ideal as a display piece in a games room, library, or study

An exceptional Victorian games compendium, this elegant mahogany case from Gale & Lawday encapsulates the spirit of 19th century recreation. Wonderfully complete and beautifully made, it presents a timeless centrepiece for the collector or connoisseur of fine antique games. Solid joints and construction, delivered ready to enjoy.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 44cm (17.25'')

Max Depth: 24.5cm (9.75'')

Max Height: 18cm (7'')

Physical Dimensions
Height
18cm (7.09")
Width
44cm (17.32")
Depth
24.5cm (9.65")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated this Victorian Games Compendium to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1175423
Dealers Internal Reference
25667
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is an antique games compendium. An English, mahogany gaming case by Gale & Lawday, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.
“
A superb and comprehensive set, this compendium offers a wealth of classic games within an elegant and comprehensive presentation box — a true celebration of Victorian leisure and craftsmanship.
London Fine Antiques
fig 1. An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards.
fig 1. Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian

Mahogany case of fine quality with beautiful grain interest and rich caramel hues

Produced by the esteemed makers Gale & Lawday, Liverpool and London

Set across two tiers — an upper section with fitted tray and a drawer below

fig 2. An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards.
fig 2. Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian

Dressed to the fascia with an oval lock escutcheon —untested, key absent

Upper section contains counters, playing cards, and a variety of game pieces

Lower drawer hosts a fine selection of chess pieces, dominoes, and instruction manuals

fig 3. An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards.
fig 3. Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian

Held securely from above by a long pin, the drawer fascia with recessed brass handle

Unmarked brass oval plaque to the lid offers an opportunity to personalise if required

Lid interior hosts the Chess board, behind which sits a marble solitaire board, with accompanying pieces included

fig 4. An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards.
fig 4. Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian

Three-in-one board cleverly designed - Chess board reverses for Backgammon, and folds out for Steeplechase

Includes six metal horse tokens for Steeplechase play, with chess pieces and counters present

Set also includes coin counters, a mechanical pencil for score keeping, and multiple decks of cards

fig 5. An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards.
fig 5. Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian

Several rule books supplied, including Bezique and Patience, among others

Displays a pleasingly aged patina, with smooth drawer action and secure hinges

A superb example of Victorian ingenuity and entertainment, perfect for collectors and enthusiasts alike

fig 6. An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards.
fig 6. Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian

Ideal as a display piece in a games room, library, or study

An exceptional Victorian games compendium, this elegant mahogany case from Gale & Lawday encapsulates the spirit of 19th century recreation. Wonderfully complete and beautifully made, it presents a timeless centrepiece for the collector or connoisseur of fine antique games. Solid joints and construction, delivered ready to enjoy.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 44cm (17.25'')

Max Depth: 24.5cm (9.75'')

Max Height: 18cm (7'')

Height
18cm (7.09")
Width
44cm (17.32")
Depth
24.5cm (9.65")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Victorian Games Compendium to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1175423
Dealers Internal Ref
25667
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian

Archive II An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View II
Archive III An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View III
Archive IV An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View IV
Archive V An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View V
Archive VI An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View VI
Archive VII An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View VII
Archive VIII An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View VIII
Archive IX An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View IX
Archive X An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View X
Archive XI An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View XI
Archive XII An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 945
Items Sold 5,649
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
945
Sold
5,649
An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards.
Antique Parlour Games Compendium, English, Gaming Box, Chess, Cards, Victorian
Ref: SA1175423
An open Victorian wooden games compendium displays internal compartments lined with red felt, surrounded by scattered chess pieces, playing cards, dice, and folding game boards.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Boxes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialMahogany, Bone, Brass, Wood
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsFitted interior compartments, Folding game board, Carved chess pieces, Brass hardware
  • SizeH 18 cm (7 in) x W 44 cm (17 in) x D 24.5 cm (10 in)

FAQs

A Victorian games compendium is a fitted wooden box containing multiple traditional parlour games, such as chess, draughts, backgammon, and cards, popular in 19th-century British households for evening entertainment.

These boxes were typically constructed from quality hardwoods such as mahogany, walnut, or rosewood, often featuring brass hardware, inlaid game boards, and interior fittings lined with velvet, felt, or leather.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit period-appropriate joinery, hand-carved wooden or bone game pieces, aged patination on the wood, and original brass locks, hinges, and interior paper labels.

Display the compendium closed on a coffee table or open on a sideboard to add a layer of intellectual charm and tactile interest to a study, living room, or reading nook.

Maintain the item by keeping it out of direct sunlight, avoiding excessive humidity, occasionally applying a quality microcrystalline wax to the wood, and handling antique paper and bone components with care.
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