Rococo Games Table with Leather, Chess & Backgammon, 18th Century

Offered by Antik Center Berlin, specialists in European fine art, antique furniture and decorative objects. An exceptional and rare games table of the highest craftsmanship, dating from the second half of the 18th century. This remarkable piece offers three distinct playing and working surfaces in one elegantly conceived form – a versatility that reflects the refined leisure culture of the European aristocracy of the period. The reversible top panel reveals three surfaces: the upper side is covered with the original dark green leather writing surface, tooled with a fine gilt border – a rare survival in original condition. The reverse side presents a finely veneered chess board in two contrasting fruitwoods. When the top panel is removed entirely, the interior reveals a full backgammon board, inlaid in ebonised wood with fruitwood points. The exterior is richly veneered in a bold herringbone pattern of rosewood and fruitwoods, centred on each side by a finely cast original gilt bronze appliqué of sunburst and foliate form. The four elegant cabriole legs are mounted with original gilt bronze espagnolettes at the knees and terminate in cast bronze sabots. The frieze features a single drawer fitted with an original brass bail handle flanked by sunburst rosettes. The table has been restored and is in good antique condition. There is a crack to the backgammon playing surface and to one drawer, consistent with the age and use of the piece; the original leather top and all bronze mounts are intact and original. Dimensions: H 78 X W 85 X D 61 cm. Origin: Central Europe, second half of the 18th century. Material: Rosewood and fruitwood herringbone veneer, original dark green tooled leather, ebonised backgammon interior, gilt bronze appliqués and mounts, brass drawer hardware. Style: Rococo. Condition: Restored; crack to backgammon surface and one drawer, age-consistent; original leather and all bronze mounts intact. Professional sale with a 14-day right of withdrawal for c.