Painted Games Table
These painted games table pieces offer dual-purpose folding surfaces and decorative hand-finished tops that transform a room.
Painted Games Table
A painted games table combines a functional folding surface for cards and board play with decorative woodwork. These pieces appear in forms such as demi-lune tables, card tables, and occasional tables.
The most common examples on this page date from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods. Satinwood, mahogany, and pine form the primary wooden bases for these items.
Styles range from Sheraton and Regency to Chinoiserie and Arts and Crafts. Many incorporate turn-over leaves to conceal the baize-lined playing surface when not in use.
How they were made
Cabinet makers utilised solid woods like mahogany, walnut, and satinwood alongside pine carcases. Veneers were frequently applied to tabletops to provide a smooth ground for subsequent decoration.
Surface ornament relied on hand painting, lacquer, and japanning, often combined with inlaid details and gilt accents. Artisans rendered floral motifs, classical scenes, and Chinoiserie landscapes directly onto the wood.
Some tables feature secret compartments designed to hide playing cards from prying eyes.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the crispness of the hand-painted decoration and the selection of timber veneers. Finely figured satinwood and detailed pictorial panels distinguish superior examples from plain ones.
Structural integrity of the folding mechanism and the precision of the turnover leaf hinge matter significantly. The longevity of the piece depends on how securely the timber holds its shape over centuries of use.
The Painted Games Table Glossary
- Demi-lune
- A half-moon shape used for table tops and commodes. When folded, a demi-lune table stands flat against a wall.
- Satinwood
- A durable timber with a natural golden sheen and fine grain. It served as a prime surface for painted decoration in the Georgian and Edwardian periods.
- Japanning
- A type of European varnish finish that emulates East Asian lacquer work. It typically involves dark backgrounds with raised gilt or painted details.
- Turn-over leaf
- A hinged table top section that unfolds to double the surface area. This mechanism often conceals a lined well for playing cards and counters.
Painted Games Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a painted games table used for?
These tables served primarily for card playing and social games in drawing rooms and parlours. The folding leaf allowed households to convert a decorative console or side table into a playing surface when guests arrived.
Today, they function as versatile accent furniture that provides surface space for lamps or decorative items while retaining the ability to open out.
How do I identify the period of a table?
Dating relies on combining the timber species, structural construction methods, and the prevailing artistic style. Georgian and Regency pieces often show heavier mahogany or figured satinwood with classical neoclassical motifs, while Edwardian versions utilise lighter satinwood frames with delicate floral swags.
Examining the underside, hinges, and secondary woods like pine or oak helps confirm the era of manufacture. Later painted decoration sometimes appears on earlier furniture bases.
How do I care for a painted surface?
Painted and lacquered wood requires protection from direct sunlight and excessive humidity to prevent fading and cracking of the decorative layer. Dusting with a soft, dry cloth is sufficient for routine maintenance without chemical polishes.
Avoid placing damp items or drinks directly onto the painted or polished wood to prevent permanent rings in the finish.
What is the difference between a card table and a games table?
The terms often overlap in historic listings, though card tables specifically designate surfaces designed with baize or leather insets for playing cards. Games tables might accommodate various board games alongside card playing.
Both types typically feature pivoting or folding leaves supported by swing legs or concertina frames.