A gate-leg card table in solid mahogany and mahogany veneered on oak, the top with rectangular outset corners, the front legs of bold cabriole form, the feet carved with ball-and-claw ornament, the knees carved with acanthus leaves; the back legs are of almost straight form, with pad feet and lappet ornament at the top. The table opens to show a playing surface of blue baize, the corners dished to hold candlesticks, and with an oval recess on each side for gaming counters.

A gate-leg card table in solid mahogany and mahogany veneered on oak, the top with rectangular outset corners, the front legs of bold cabriole form, the feet carved with ball-and-claw ornament, the knees carved with acanthus leaves; the back legs are of almost straight form, with pad feet and lappet ornament at the top. The top has been carefully chosen to show a strong figure in the wood.The table opens to show a playing surface of blue baize (very faded 2009), the corners with square compartments with moulded surrounds to hold candlesticks, and with an oval recess on each side for gaming counters.

The folding top is hinged on both sides at the mid-point, with a brass hinge held on 3 screws, and with a shallow strip of a tenon and mortise in the centre to locate the top correctly when open. The top is of solid mahogany, the frieze veneered with mahogany, the grain running vertically.

One back leg and a section of the back rail is hinged at the mid-point with a wooden knuckle hinge. It pulls out to 90 degrees to support the top when open. A strip of green baize lines the upper face of the hinged support where it meets the table top. The fixed half of the top is held from underneath on 6 angled screws (1 missing 2009). There are two carved softwood support blocks glued behind the edges of the front left knee, and 4 corner blocks have been added internally. On the left side end rail (inner face) is a large knot hole.

The table has clearly undergone major restoration at some time, probably in the early 20th century. The veneers on the frieze show seveal different colours, suggesting that some are replacements. The top shows evidence of 20th-century french polishing in the tiny flecks of white filler, used to fill the grain after the wood was stripped. When the French polished finish was originally applied it would have disguised these with its colour, which has faded over the years. The back frieze section that is attached to the gate-leg shows a trapezoidal section that indicates that it was originally fitted with a hinged segment of wood that could be raised to support the flap and this has been removed, its housing filled, and an additional fillet of wood added all along the back rail to make up for the loss of the hinged prop. The baize added to this is green rather than blue.

Given by Mrs Robert Wilkinson

Given by Mrs Robert Wilkinson, 45 Pathfield Road, Streatham, London SW16 'French polished, cracked above right front leg. The frame and legs have been recently (1941) repaired.'

On loan to Montacute 1946-2021. Returned from loan April 2021.
See Registered File 55/515C

Card playing was a vital part of polite society in the 18th century. Everyone who aspired to gentility was expected to play card games competently and games of cards were enjoyed at parties and in small groups. Card tables and boxes for gaming counters were made in large quantities, as were special bags for holding counters, because gambling was usually part of the performance of card-playing. This elegant card table opens to show a playing surface of blue baize. This colour is often shown in contemporary paintings of card players, but is a rare survival. It has often been replaced by the green baize that became standard later. The corners of the table are set with square recesses to hold candlesticks, because cards were an evening entertainment, and also small, oval recesses, where each of four players could hold their gambling counters.

W.18-1941