How do I use a games table daily?

A games table functions as a console or side table against a wall when the top remains folded shut. It transforms into a playing surface simply by pivoting and unfolding the hinged leaf. Interior placement works well in a sitting room or drawing room where extra surface space is occasionally required for card games or tea.

What woods were used for these tables?

Cabinetmakers primarily employed mahogany, rosewood, and walnut, frequently enhancing the exteriors with burr veneers. Brass inlay and ormolu details occasionally decorate the frieze and legs. These dense timbers provided the weight and structural stability necessary to support folding leaves without warping.

How do I distinguish Regency from Victorian examples?

Regency tables often feature architectural brass inlay, rosewood veneers, and classical pedestal bases. They reflect earlier neoclassical design influences from the early nineteenth century. Victorian pieces tend to use heavier proportions, Burr Walnut, and elaborate scroll or carved claw feet dating from the mid-nineteenth century onward.

What is a concertina action?

A concertina action is an expanding wooden frame that extends outwards as the tabletop opens. This mechanism allows all four legs to support the expanded playing surface evenly. It represents a more complex and desirable engineering method compared to tables supported by a single swinging rear leg.