Card Tables and Tea Tables
Late 20th Century North American Other Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Card Tables and Tea Tables
Chrome
20th Century Unknown Federal Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
2010s Portuguese Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Card Tables and Tea Tables
Cherry
Late 20th Century Queen Anne Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Teak
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Teak
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Formica
1860s English High Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hardwood
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
1740s European George II Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Leather, Mahogany
18th Century Irish George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble, Brass
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century and Earlier English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Murano Glass
1950s European Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Leather, Oak
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1970s Unknown British Colonial Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bamboo, Wood
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Metal
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass, Bronze
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal
Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 1900s European Louis XV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut, Burl
18th Century English George II Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Baize, Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Moorish Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze
18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
2010s German Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak
Early 19th Century Scottish Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Late 18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Leather, Wood
2010s Indian Agra Card Tables and Tea Tables
Sandstone
2010s Indian Other Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble
1830s British William IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Metal
1990s American Art Deco Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Felt, Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century Irish George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1890s English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ceramic, Fabric, Mahogany, Burl
20th Century American Queen Anne Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Steel
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.