How do you open a concertina card table?

The rear legs and frame pull outwards together on concealed wooden hinges to create a square, supported perimeter. This clever mechanism keeps the table balanced without relying on a single swinging fly-leg.

What were carved mahogany card tables used for?

They served polite society for card games, chess, and social conversation during evening assemblies. Between gatherings, the closed tops held decorative items or sat neatly against a parlour wall as side furniture.

How do I date a Georgian card table?

Cabinetmaking style offers the clearest clues, with early pieces showing bold cabriole legs and later examples favouring tapered supports. Turnover edges, hinge types, and timber choice also help narrow the decade of construction.

Can I use an antique card table everyday?

These tables adapt well to daily use as hallway consoles or living room side tables when kept closed. Opening them requires gentle handling to protect historical hinges and delicate wool baize linings.