Card Tables and Tea Tables
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
1830s English William IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass, Bronze, Pewter
Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1720s English George I Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Rosewood
1760s Irish Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 18th Century English Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Irish George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Satinwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Mahogany
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Birch
Late 18th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ebony, Kingwood, Mahogany, Holly
1970s American Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Card Tables and Tea Tables
Plastic
18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
1780s English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Kingwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood
1790s English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Satinwood, Paint
18th Century Irish George II Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1690s English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak
Mid-19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Aluminum
1760s English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Oak
Mid-19th Century North American Rococo Revival Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Rosewood
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
20th Century Italian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble, Breccia Marble
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
18th Century English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Oak
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Irish William IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1740s George II Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1750s English George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Steel
1890s French Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Kingwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Carrara Marble
19th Century British George IV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak, Holly, Yew, Amboyna
1780s British George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Irish George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Faience, Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass, Chrome
1820s Chinese Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bone, Ebony, Rosewood
19th Century American Federal Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze
19th Century French Rococo Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
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.