Card Tables and Tea Tables
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble, Metal
19th Century French Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
2010s Czech Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Clay
Mid-19th Century English Louis XV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass, Iron
1970s Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
19th Century American Rococo Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
18th Century English George I Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ebony
1890s Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 1800s American Federal Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Baroque Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
19th Century Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Felt, Wood
1820s English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
Mid-18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Cherry
2010s American Other Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century American Federal Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
18th Century and Earlier British Queen Anne Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
1880s Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Fruitwood
19th Century English Empire Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
2010s Indian Other Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble
19th Century Scandinavian Rococo Revival Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Irish Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1990s Queen Anne Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze
20th Century Czech Bauhaus Card Tables and Tea Tables
Chrome
19th Century French Rococo Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Chrome
20th Century British Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hardwood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal, Chrome
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
2010s American Other Card Tables and Tea Tables
Sandstone
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Steel
2010s Indian Other Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Moorish Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Glass
1780s English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Kingwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
2010s Indian Other Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Federal Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1780s English Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
20th Century American Queen Anne Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1810s Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Antique and Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Today, the phrase “card tables” might evoke the image of common plastic tables covered in felt, but historically these tables were statement pieces that invited merriment and were made of mahogany, walnut or other fine woods. Today, antique and vintage card tables and tea tables can enliven a space and encourage spirited competition in your home.
Card tables originated in England in the late 17th century, and during this time, as well as the 18th century, game tables in general became quite popular. We refer to early versions of card tables as antique Regency card tables because the Prince of Wales ruled England during the period and his official title was Regent. Back then, these furnishings were typically small, rectangular tables outfitted with hinged tops so that they could be opened to reveal a playing surface. Ornamental flourishes of the era might have included an integration of fine velvet or needlepoint as lining for the table’s surface. For furniture makers, wide adoption of a dense woven green material called baize for table covering — similar to felt but stronger — occurred during the early 1700s.
Tea became widely affordable during the early 1800s in England, and tea time exploded in popularity and involved large tea sets — especially during the Victorian era — as well as small, well-crafted tea tables. Your beverage was paired with petite baked goods, and the tea table would be home to teacups, saucers, a milk pot and other items. While tea tables are similar in design to card tables, the focus is more on presentation. Georgian card tables and tea tables — furniture made during the reign of England’s three Georges — were especially ornate. Some featured intricately carved design elements on each side and stood on elegantly curved legs. After all, tea time became a sacred ritual that society women dressed up for. It was a time to pause, reflect and sip a comforting beverage.
When no guests were visiting to enjoy tea or play games, owners could fold down both card tables and tea tables to their smaller size and tuck them away into a corner of the room.
Antique and vintage card tables and tea tables can make a lovely addition to any living room, entertainment room or game room. Find yours on 1stDibs.