Featured Game Table

Interesting table, i have seen slate top american tables before but not like this.
American or English do you think? Late 18th century, maple. The veneered top with central inlaid slate panel and marquetry inlaid surround, 29" h., 34 3/4" w. Good condition. No apparent damages or repairs. Coming to market this Friday. I am leaning towards english because on the lions inlay

 

THAT is BEAUTIFUL !!! LOVE IT !! .. Joy.

 

Really nice!

 

Or maybe Swiss origin like this one from Grisons Switzerland?

 

I think it's swiss, i enlarged the top on bottom table and although it's an earlier example, very similar inlay, SWISS!

 

beautiful table, I like the first one better

 

Nice - but first one does not let you pull your chair up close to the table!

 

OOOOH, MEEEE LIKEY!!!!!!! First one, that is!!!!! Super nifty!!!!! On the bottom one, the top doesn't look indigenous to the table.....

 

The top table is beautiful. I have childhood memories of playing checkers out on the front porch floor, so perhaps it would seem appropriate to me that checkers can be played lower than a card game table? No idea though..

 

Yeah, I think auction misnamed this table because they didn't know what it was. The form is basically the same as an american "tavern table" which is misnamed itself, kinda like "bible boxes".
I think it's a late 18th century Swiss side table with a slate insert & wood inlay. I agree, very attractive table, i fired off an email to bottom table seller in Switzerland with pics of "game table" to see if they would comment. The bottom table sold at auction for 650 swiss franc which is close to USD i think?
https://www.kollerauktionen.ch/en/4...ieferschragentisch-2246_120146.html?RecPos=15

 

second one is a Biedermeier Schragentisch.
not necesserally Graubünden, but known in the whole Alpine area. typical for Biedermeier is the cross-fixation of the legs.
normally go with Stabellen (chairs).

 

Here is auction description of bottom table, they are calling it "Baroque" which i think corresponds to the william & mary period with that X stretcher.


SMALL SLATE TABLE, Baroque, Switzerland, probably Grisons, 18th century. Walnut and other woods, inlaid with mythical creatures, leaves and rectangular reserves. Top inlaid with slate. Turned legs. 101x64x76 cm.

Baroque, Switzerland, probably Graubünden, 18th century
Walnut and other woods inlaid in the form of mythical creatures, foliage and rectangular reserves. Rectangular blade with slate insert on straight frame and curved X-bridge connected, partly turned Baluster legs with Questschfüssen. 101x64x76 cm.

 

I know Koller very well. everything that is below 5000 Swiss Franks is looked upon as peanuts and given to apprentices to handle. for me it is what it is - and if a non-Swiss "expert" up in Zurich says something else, well then it's a baroque table.
P.S. Quetschfüsse is a form unknown outside Koller. they are called simply Kugelfüsse or by specialists "gedrückte Kugelfüsse".

 

Well, I know very little about Biedermeier furniture but it's my understanding it covers the 1st half 19th century where bottom table form is clearly 18th century in style.

 

good luck then. I hope Koller answers.

 

I hope they do as well, will post if they respond. Still, i am 99% certain the table at Pook in Pennsylvania is swiss built, the construction of the top is EXACTLY the same as Koller table, almost like they were built in same shop.

 

but I hope it's clear to everybody that these tables are still available brandnew and very often found in restaurants and hotels. and what's more important to you perhaps, they were made over a very long period. I'd be VERY amazed if Koller would give a warranty on what they wrote.
are you thinking of buying the top one ?

 

Not really no, it's not american which is a BIG no no over here plus, i need another "tavern table" like i need a another hole in my head. I just thought it was a very interesting table for 18th century, never seen anything like it before.
Slate was used here in the 18th century for table tops & top inserts but nothing like that example at top with all that wood inlay, very well designed top i think.

 

American 18th century tables with slate tops are much less ornate, here is a repro by Eldred Wheeler. The original (can't find a pic at the minute) is painted , red bottom & black top, style is queen anne about 1760

 

certainly nice, but for me it doesn't make sense stylewise, I see about five different styles bred in. what style would that be for you ?