Antique Table in an Amateur's Hands: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

I’m wondering whether to start a thread of its own for this table.

Firstly, it doesn’t need restoring - secondly, I am staggered by its beauty and would love it if anyone can help with provenance.

It feels old, European - potentially Italian or French? The inlay work is magnificent… delicate, beautiful. At some point in the past, see near an old scratch (in photos below), I reckon someone has tried to fix a bird’s wing … but that’s it - no major problems that I can see. I am so happy with this local find.

As a bonus … it flips to a card or writing table and I sense the felt is original. Even the wing nuts are a joy!

A Christmas present to myself!

No clue on the provenance, but what a beauty!

Unglaublich! Es muss ein Traum sein, daran zu spielen!

Since pics are presented cut out to size now, right-click and open picture in new tab to see the whole beauty.

What a wonderful find to close and open a year!

Wonderful!!! What a beauty! Congratulations!

Not sure if this is allowed in regards to the forum rules, but check this out, they date it in the 19th century.

Firstly, everyone - thank you. The feedback is appreciated and link is interesting to read. I love that there is some indication of provenance and it would seem that the table that I have acquired is very similar, with perhaps my inlays having even greater detail. In an odd way, I am chuffed that my sense of the date and origin was on the mark … indicating to myself, that I am getting a little more knowledgable - and you folk in this digital realm are helping me learn. Thank you again.

DKW - thanks for the tips. I am typing at 6.15am via my small phone … if I get a chance later, I’ll edit as per your advice. Sorry to all for any inconvenience in the meantime.

Wonderful to be able to play on such a board. I feel quite fortunate.
And apologies if there are sizing issues - still on my phone. 🍻 

That may have just taken first place in the nicest board I've ever seen! I love the artistic elements in a nice chess set and especially in boards such as that masterpiece.

The pup was intent on making sure nothing moved...until it was nap time. Loved the pictures Mr. PD!

Thanks Magic and Wits … this morning it was the four c’s croissants 🥐, coffee ☕️ and chess ♟️😊… in a cafe - a lovely way to start New Year’s Eve - cheers all.

Well … the top of the box is coming along nicely. 👍

https://yolagray.com/product/antique-italian-victorian-sorrento-ware-olive-inlaid-wood-butlers-drinks-tray-table-stand-circa-1880/

Absolutely stunning ! And certainly in the hands of a person with very, very good taste! Congratulations !

https://www.rafaelosonaauction.com/antiques/2023-auctions/august-5-2023/continental-marquetry-bird-inlaid-two-sided-serving-tray-19th-century/

In the same spirit of “swallows and butterflies”, which also has a meaning when they appear on furniture, on musical instrument…

Thank you.

Nice forum

Thank you @Walterbiensur - kind words and very helpful links. It seems I have stumbled upon a delight … it is interesting that there are no signs of handles on my tabletop … to me, this makes sense as, being a chess board, it was never intended as a serving tray - per se - rather a playing table.

It also seems that inlay such as this is commissioned …and thus, it’s very romantic to think that this table was commissioned by an aristocrat and chess enthusiast in the 1880’s and is probably unique or quite rare in design.

As someone who sits in middle-class Australia - I feel grateful to have lucked upon such a table - for it is only with such good fortune that this table could find its way across time and waters into my home on this island continent.

And back to the re-purposed cutlery cum Lewis chessmen case … a rather dodgy felt job - some foam in the lid (to press down on the pieces to keep them more snug) - and another coat of finishing oil on the lid … soon I’ll re-assemble.

In the photo below, the lid is currently just resting on the base … I’ll reattach hinges in due course.

Not now but later / I might put some nice fabric on the foam as it is removable.

Hey and that glitch in the photos …on an iPhone via the browser - if you press and hold the photo it flicks it to full view.

I hope I’ve honoured whoever made this table and pieces. I think the pieces are a one-off. Made by caring, creative and amateur hands, many many years ago. The table hand-made too - with simple mid-century type appeal. Whether the pieces were made by the same hands as the table - we’ll never know.

When I purchased it - the table was a disaster … peeling, faded paint … I was hoping to sand back and reveal lovely different timbers but alas, no - the squares were painted on a flat piece of wood.

So with surplus boards and a beautiful Melbourne day, I decided to sand and oil the table and felt the top and match with a board. I think it’s beautiful and whoever you are that made it all those years ago - I hope you’re happy. I am … the table and pieces live on.

The question begs as to why I didn’t repaint the table to its original intent. My decision was purely stylistic and function. The black felt allows the table to stand alone for drinks, cards etc…. The second board fits nicely and the black ‘moat’ created by felt locks quite classy, in the flesh. Should I ever want to fully restore the board to its original painted form - I could remove the felt and paint in future. However, I doubt that’ll I’ll ever do that.