How do I use a fold over games table?

The hinged top rotates or swings outward on a pivot to rest upon the extended framework of the base, doubling the surface area for cards or board games. Once opened, many designs reveal a baize-lined interior or inlaid chess and backgammon boards concealed beneath the closed lid.

What games were played on these tables?

Punters and family members used these surfaces primarily for card games, chess, draughts and backgammon during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Many tables include multiple boards or reversible tops to accommodate different pastimes within a single piece of furniture.

How do I care for walnut wood?

Keep walnut furniture away from direct sunlight and excessive heat sources to prevent the burr veneer from drying out and cracking. Apply natural beeswax periodically to nourish the timber and maintain the soft sheen of the brown finish.

How can I date a walnut games table?

Examine the construction methods, secondary timbers used inside the framing, and the specific decorative style such as Victorian carving or marquetry. Stylistic markers like Queen Anne cabriole legs or mid-nineteenth-century turned columns provide clear indications of the manufacturing period.