What is the difference between a games table and a chess board?

A games table is a piece of furniture incorporating a playing surface, often with drawers, folding leaves, or compartments for pieces. Standalone chess boards are portable panels designed to sit upon existing surfaces or fold for travel. Many tables include reversible tops or sliding panels that reveal backgammon interiors beneath the inlaid chess surface.

Were these boards meant for playing or display?

These boards served as active centres for domestic evening entertainment while functioning as permanent furniture in parlours and drawing rooms. Their fine timbers and decorative inlays ensured they looked appropriate even when matches were finished. Many designs prioritized this dual role by folding away or doubling as writing and sewing tables during daylight hours.

What woods were used for the contrasting squares?

Dark squares typically utilised rosewood or walnut, while light squares relied on boxwood or sycamore. Cabinet makers selected these timbers to achieve a sharp visual contrast essential for standard play. Over decades, natural oxidation deepens the honey tones of boxwood and enriches the dark grains of rosewood.