Card Tables and Tea Tables
1850s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Cherry
Early 20th Century American Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak
1850s Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Amboyna
Mid-19th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century American American Classical Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
19th Century Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
1830s English George IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Giltwood, Amboyna
Early 1800s Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Mahogany
1870s English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century British Gothic Revival Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Card Tables and Tea Tables
Chrome, Steel
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Tortoise Shell
Early 1800s American Federal Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
19th Century English William IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century Neoclassical Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1870s Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 1800s English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1860s Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century European Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Maple, Walnut
1810s English Queen Anne Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Felt, Leather, Velvet, Walnut, Burl
Early 19th Century Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
1870s English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century Irish William IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Early 1900s British Queen Anne Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Baize, Walnut
1870s Danish Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Felt, Mahogany
1810s Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Card Tables and Tea Tables
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century European Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Romantic Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century Irish Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
1890s Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1830s English William IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
1920s Queen Anne Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
1920s Queen Anne Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
19th Century English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal
1850s English Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Other
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1830s French Restauration Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Elm, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Georgian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
Late 19th Century Louis XIV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1820s Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Card Tables and Tea Tables
Chrome, Steel
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
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.