Table thumbnail 1
Table thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 54, Henrietta Street Room

Table

1700-1725 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This card table is designed to fold in half for storage against the wall. The supportive corner cabriole legs dispensed with the need for stretchers between the legs and created more room for the seated players. From about 1711 to 1750 the form of the card table changed very little.

Ownership & Use
Card tables opened up when required for use in the front parlour of the terraced house, or the drawing room or saloon of the grander metropolitan or country house. Four players can comfortably sit with their legs under the table and play cards without revealing their hands to each other.

Social Class
Card games were played by the upper and middle classes for education, amusement and money. The small sunken well on each side of the table could house the coins won by each player.Cards were the chief evening activity, as lighting was often too poor to read for long after dark. Cards were used for instruction in a wide range of subjects. Knowledge of the rules of fashionable games was taught in the mid-18th century by gaming masters. George II and Queen Caroline were devoted card players, the king's favourite game was 'commerce' and the queen's 'quadrille'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Walnut, carved and veneered on oak
Brief description
English 1700-20
Physical description
The following description has been transcribed from the original accession record of 1904. ENGLISH Early 18th Century. Card-table of oak, veneered with walnut and having legs of carved walnut. The square table top is covered with green cloth, each side having a concave receptacle and a plain circular panel at each corner. The under surface of the hinged portion is covered with green morocco leather; and the framework is also hinged, closing in such a way that one half with its two legs and sliding stretcher passes under the closed top. Each of the four cabriole legs terminates in a claw-and-ball foot and is carved above with a shell and pendant
Dimensions
  • Height: 38cm
  • Width: 31cm
This print was originally part of a volume that was broken up into individual plates. Dimensions taken from departmental notes.
Gallery label
  • CARD TABLE ENGLISH: 1715 - 1730 Carved walnut with walnut and burr walnut veneers on pine and oak; tooled leather top, green baize gaming surface. The lobed form of this card table frame is repeated in the shape of the top. Integrated into the design of the gaming surface, circular walnut veneer pads are set in at the corners. In addition, the opened top reveals deep oval compartments lined with walnut veneer to hold gaming counters. The form of the cabriole leg repeats the double curve as seen in the side profile of the chairs. The frame conceals a concertina action and locking mechanism which extends the frame to support the unfolded table. Tables of this type were part of the after dinner social ritual, which included card playing, music, and the drinking of tea and coffee. These activities would take place in the drawing or "inward" room. Quadrille or card tables, and all other pieces of furniture were stored against the wall when the room was "at rest".(pre July 2001)
  • British Galleries: Card games were popular with people of every rank but for young men and women in polite society the ability to play competently at fashionable games such as 'commerce' or 'quadrille' was an essential sign of elegant accomplishment. As a room for entertaining, this room is quite likely to have contained at least one card table.(27/03/2003)
Summary
Object Type
This card table is designed to fold in half for storage against the wall. The supportive corner cabriole legs dispensed with the need for stretchers between the legs and created more room for the seated players. From about 1711 to 1750 the form of the card table changed very little.

Ownership & Use
Card tables opened up when required for use in the front parlour of the terraced house, or the drawing room or saloon of the grander metropolitan or country house. Four players can comfortably sit with their legs under the table and play cards without revealing their hands to each other.

Social Class
Card games were played by the upper and middle classes for education, amusement and money. The small sunken well on each side of the table could house the coins won by each player.Cards were the chief evening activity, as lighting was often too poor to read for long after dark. Cards were used for instruction in a wide range of subjects. Knowledge of the rules of fashionable games was taught in the mid-18th century by gaming masters. George II and Queen Caroline were devoted card players, the king's favourite game was 'commerce' and the queen's 'quadrille'.
Bibliographic reference
Benn, H.P and Shapland, H.P., The Nation's Treasures. Measured Drawings of Fine Old Furniture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & co. Ld and Benn Brothers Ltd., 1910, p. 18, pl. 26.
Collection
Accession number
223-1904

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Record createdJuly 5, 2001
Record URL
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