Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mid-20th Century American Louis XVI Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Georgian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Cane, Cherry
2010s Canadian Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak
20th Century French Louis XV Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Murano Glass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal, Brass, Enamel
2010s Italian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century North American Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Crystal
Early 1900s Swedish Jugendstil Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ash, Rosewood
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
1830s English William IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Yew
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
1890s Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze
1760s Dutch Baroque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Pearwood, Walnut, Yew
18th Century English Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1860s Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
20th Century French Card Tables and Tea Tables
Serpentine, Brass, Ormolu
2010s Portuguese Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble
18th Century English Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1850s English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
Early 19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak
Late 19th Century Irish Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century European Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Baize, Wood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze
1760s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Industrial Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Aluminum
1750s Irish Queen Anne Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Travertine, Chrome
Early 19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century European Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
1740s English Queen Anne Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Teak
20th Century American Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rattan
18th Century British Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Carrara Marble
2010s Egyptian Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
19th Century French Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Boxwood, Ebony, Satinwood, Tulipwood
1870s English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
1810s Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
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.