Card Tables and Tea Tables
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Metal
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Metal
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Metal
2010s French Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Concrete, Metal
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer, Burl
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Plastic, Bentwood
Early 1900s English George I Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century British Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
1830s Adam Style Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Mid-19th Century European High Victorian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1970s French Other Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble, Brass
19th Century British Louis XV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Card Tables and Tea Tables
Crystal
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hardwood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal
19th Century English Regency Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1860s French Louis XV Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bronze
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Beech, Bentwood
20th Century Unknown Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1960s American Louis XVI Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Glass, Wood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal, Chrome
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Walnut
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
1930s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble, Metal
18th Century English George II Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Baize, Walnut
20th Century English Chinoiserie Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Quartz, Steel
Mid-19th Century American American Empire Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century George III Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
1910s Adam Style Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Oak
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Aluminum
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Aluminum
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Metal
1930s African Islamic Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bone, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Card Tables and Tea Tables
Ormolu
Early 1900s Italian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
2010s Indian Other Card Tables and Tea Tables
Marble
1890s Italian Antique Card Tables and Tea Tables
Wood
1960s American Louis XVI Vintage Card Tables and Tea Tables
Brass
20th Century French Art Nouveau Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
20th Century French Card Tables and Tea Tables
Serpentine, Ormolu, Brass
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo 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.