Antique Games Tables

At once functional and decorative, the antique games table holds a singular place in the history of French furniture. Emerging in the 17th century and refined throughout the 18th, these pieces range from tric-trac tables and backgammon boards to card tables for quadrille or boston, most fitted with a reversible top in green baize or tooled leather. Master ébénistes — Boudin, Topino, Canabas — produced outstanding stamped examples in mahogany, walnut and tulipwood.

From Louis XV cabriole legs and chiselled bronzes to the straight-lined Empire style and the geometric marquetry of Charles X, each period left its own formal signature. Browse our full range of antique tables to explore the wider category.

How to choose and authenticate an antique games table

Authenticating a genuine period games table begins with the construction. Hand-cut dovetail joints, mortise-and-tenon frames and secondary-wood drawer bottoms in oak or poplar are reliable signs of pre-industrial craftsmanship. An ébéniste's stamp struck beneath the top or inside a drawer — ideally accompanied by the Parisian guild mark (JME) — is the strongest guarantee for pieces made before the Revolution. Be cautious with 19th-century reproductions: they are often beautifully made but lack this hallmark.

In terms of timber, mahogany games tables dominate Directoire and Empire production, while tulipwood and rosewood characterise quality Louis XV and Louis XVI pieces. Lighter woods — maple, lemonwood, elm burr — are typical of Restauration and Charles X output. Always inspect the reversible top carefully: original baize or leather, however worn, is preferable to a recent replacement that may conceal structural damage beneath.

Prices for an antique games table vary widely according to period, timber, the presence of a maker's stamp and overall condition. Expect to pay from around £350–£1,200 for an unsigned provincial piece, £1,800–£7,000 for a stamped Parisian ébéniste example, and considerably more for a documented masterwork. Marquetry games tables decorated with trophies or foliate scrollwork regularly achieve strong results at auction.

Every piece listed on Antiquités en France is offered by a verified professional dealer who can supply detailed photographs, exact dimensions and full provenance history. Contact the dealer directly to request a condition report or restoration certificate before committing to a purchase.

Frequently asked questions about Antique Games Tables

How do I recognise an authentic antique games table?

Look for hand-cut dovetail joints, mortise-and-tenon construction and secondary-wood drawer bottoms in oak or poplar. An ébéniste's stamp under the top or inside a drawer, combined with an original reversible baize or leather surface, are strong indicators of genuine period manufacture.

What is the price range for an antique games table?

Prices range from roughly £350 for an unsigned provincial piece to several thousand pounds for a stamped Parisian example. A quality Louis XV or Louis XVI tulipwood table with original bronze mounts can exceed £5,000–£8,000, particularly if documented provenance accompanies it.

Which woods are most common in antique games tables?

Mahogany dominates Directoire and Empire production. Tulipwood and rosewood are typical of Louis XV and Louis XVI pieces. Lighter timbers — maple, lemonwood and elm burr — characterise Restauration and Charles X styles, often combined with delicate stringing or geometric marquetry.

How should I care for the top of an antique games table?

Feed the woodwork with natural beeswax twice a year. If the top is leather-lined, use a solvent-free leather conditioner. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight and humidity fluctuations, both of which can cause veneers to lift and joints to loosen over time.

Can an antique games table be shipped internationally?

Yes. Most professional dealers arrange secure specialist art transport for both domestic and international delivery. Always request bespoke crating and transit insurance covering the declared value of the piece before it leaves the dealer's premises.

Period games tables from the 18th & 19th centuries — sourced from professional antique dealers

Large polished granite dining table on an oak and wrought iron base

Large dining table

Painted console table

Napoléon III solid walnut pedestal dining table, late 19th century, seats 14

Napoléon III oak dining table, 18 covers, with 6 leaves, late 19th century

Art Nouveau period mahogany serving table

Art Deco moire mahogany table, 1930s

Napoléon III mahogany dining table, late 19th century, seats 18 with all five leaves

Napoléon III solid walnut dining table, late 19th century, seats 12 with leaves

19th-Century Napoléon III Oak Dining Table in the Louis XV Style

Art Nouveau walnut dining table, circa 1900

Napoléon III walnut dining table with leaves, late 19th century

Napoléon III walnut dining table, late 19th century, with leaves — seats 22

Large Napoléon III walnut dining table, late 19th century, seats 20 with 6 leaves

Large Napoleon III Walnut Dining Table, Late 19th Century, Seats 20 with 6 Leaves

Napoléon III solid walnut dining table, 19th century, 4 leaves, seats 20

Rosewood Veneer Centre Table, Napoléon III Period – Second Half of the 19th Century

Spanish dining table

Low Table in Enamelled Ceramic and Black Metal, Stylised Bird Decoration, Circa 1960s–1970s

Very large industrial design table / solid aérogommé wood / L 242 cm

Large Round Table with Painted Wood Top in Scagliola Style – Wrought Iron Base

Industrial recycled wood dining table – Jack Daniel's Old Time Old No.7 Brand

DINING ROOM TABLE

Louis XV Style Lacquered Wood Centre Table

How to choose and authenticate an antique games table

Frequently asked questions about Antique Games Tables