Card Tables and Tea Tables
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1980s Chippendale Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Cherry
1980s American Chippendale Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Yew
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
19th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hardwood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1980s American Chippendale Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1760s English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Nutwood
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1760s Scottish Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1770s English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1760s Scottish Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century North American Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1760s English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Oak
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Cherry
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Other
1760s Dutch Baroque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Pearwood, Walnut, Yew
Late 19th Century British Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
1760s American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1760s Dutch Baroque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Yew
Early 1900s English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hardwood
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1760s English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Felt, Hardwood
Mid-18th Century Irish Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century British Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Baroque Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
1770s Irish Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass, Wrought Iron
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
Late 18th Century English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
1780s English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
1760s German Baroque Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Cherry, Elm, Walnut
1780s Irish Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1760s English Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1780s American Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
18th Century and Earlier Irish Chippendale Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
1750s English Chippendale 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.