Here is a thing of beauty! This Regency gaming table went on sale as part of the contents of Ashdown House, auctioned off at 
Sothebys last year. As you can see from the chequerboard top, it was designed for games such as chess or draughts but could also be used for cards games like faro, piquet and whist. If you click on the picture on the left you will see that the squares contain pictures of country scenes and that the surround also shows leaves and rosettes and flowers. It’s exquisite!
Many gaming tables I have seen are made of wood, mahogany being the most popular choice, with brass decoration and rosewood veneers. They could double up to serve as a tea table, a writing desk or even a needlework table. Some of them open up so that the cards – or needlework – can be stored in the space beneath. I’ve seldom seen any as pretty as this one, though, and would gladly give it house room. I hope you like it too!
Very pretty! We have a much plainer gaming table at the Castle, but it has an alarming tendency to fall over when visitors are in the room!
Oh dear! That sounds rather dangerous, Alison, both for the visitors and for the table! Hopefully neither have come to any harm?
No, not at all. The floor is rather uneven, though thickly carpeted and we have roped the area off so it happens far less often – it’s just the chess pieces rattle when they fall (these are just for display, they don’t belong to the castle).
Oooh, I love this table.
It’s gorgeous,
Suzi
I’m so glad you like it, Suzi. I thought it was such a pretty design and the paintings in the squares are stunning.
[...] Regency author, Nicola Cornick, talks here about a gorgeous Regency Gaming Table. [...]
Saw this on the Beau Monde blog and I am truly coveting it! I hope it went to someone who truly appreciates it’s beauty!
I love it too, Louisa. And it’s so small and neat it could fit beautifully in a corner. Perfect!
[...] Regency Gaming Table by Nicola Cornick [...]