Not an antique but fun nonetheless … this small board 30cm*30cm with 3.3cm squares fits my tiny little chess set beautifully. The board was $3 at a thrift store - heavy and solid for its small size and if I was to guess - perhaps was paired with a tourist set from somewhere like Africa? Who knows … but with a sand and the application of finishing oil, it’s a lovely little study board when paired with these tiny but weighted pieces. The first photo is the only ‘before’ shot I have. 
After … below:
Just a bit of fun 👍
Antique Table in an Amateur's Hands: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.
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Apr 2, 2024
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#322
Apr 2, 2024
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#323
@Powderdigit
Fun indeed! I might add, "and good for one's soul" as well. The feeling experienced when refurbishing and breathing new life into what once was itself a living, growing, and thriving tree cannot be adequately described in mere words, it can only be discovered. Well done my friend. This is another example of the meaning behind my motto, "Enjoy the Journey."
Apr 4, 2024
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#324
Amazing … the interaction between light and wood. Here, the sun sets a board on fire!🔥 
Not a bad board for less than the cost of a latte, and then a bit of a sand and oil. 👍
Apr 5, 2024
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#325
Powder, pretty soon I see you with your own website, displaying your chess related objects of beauty.
Apr 20, 2024
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#326
I didn’t take any before photos (sorry - forgot) but this box was picked up from hard rubbish. It was scratched, had stickers on it but the lid looked ok. I sanded back, applied some beeswax oil, felted the bottom, and inside top and bottom. I then tried my St Petersburg Repro’s and almost a perfect fit. I added some green foam for a snug fit when the lid is closed. I love it. Here are the pieces purposely tight on a reconditioned board - my sense is that - back in the early 20th century - when these pieces were played … people preferred tighter boards. I really like this combo - a live game with my friend Till. 
Love that set, Mark. And your work fixing up old stuff and making it into wonderful chess things is remarkable.
BTW, the set looks great on that board (I like slightly crowded setups). The bases are a bit crowded, but the thin bodies of the pieces allow for it.
Thanks for sharing the pics.
Jul 16, 2024
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#329
Powderdigit wrote:
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!
I have recently purchased a Vienna coffee house set (most likely circa 1900 but I’ll never be sure as I have no proof of provenance) but regardless - it matches beautifully to this table… at least in my opinion. 
Powderdigit wrote:
... - my sense is that - back in the early 20th century - when these pieces were played … people preferred tighter boards. ....
Tighter boards or the sets were smaller or a combination? I suspect that people want bigger and heavier sets than was the case 100 years ago. The chess federation square sizes start at 50mm, the last old board I have a size for was 40mm. A quick look indiates that 19th century set base diameters go down to 25mm or so (25 to 37 seems to be the range for library sets), which is not a bad size range for the roughly 4cm squares I've found on a few old boards, the lower end of that range more or less in-line with the 70 to 80% ratio of base diameter to square size that the chess federations
looking at a rather pretty round chess table this morning, I only have the diameter, but at a 49cm diameter with a border that is about the same width as the diagnosal dimension of the squares, that suggests about a 35mm square size
Aug 30, 2024
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#332
This is not about a board but it’s a renovation … of sorts. 😉
Recently, I purchased this set of rosewood pieces secondhand. Indian made - I think Chess Bazaar 2020 or 2921 from what the seller stated. The reason I purchased them was because they were good value, I liked all the pieces, especially the fleur du lys king. The exception was the knight … it looked like a muddled unicorn - not my taste and I felt it detracted from the balance of the whole set… but I thought I could remove the horn!
So…. I did. A Dremel and sanding pad. There’s still a bit more work to finesse the finish, but in my opinion - it’s already much better. Prior to doing the job, I went to a local woodworking shop and he mentioned how dense and heavy the rosewood was … and it was amazing to see it sanded … a very tight grain. Anyway … before and after.
Aug 30, 2024
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#333
Powderdigit wrote:
This is not about a board but it’s a renovation … of sorts. 😉
Recently, I purchased this set of rosewood pieces secondhand. Indian made - I think Chess Bazaar 2020 or 2921 from what the seller stated. The reason I purchased them was because they were good value, I liked all the pieces, especially the fleur du lys king. The exception was the knight … it looked like a muddled unicorn - not my taste and I felt it detracted from the balance of the whole set… but I thought I could remove the horn!
So…. I did. A Dremel and sanding pad. There’s still a bit more work to finesse the finish, but in my opinion - it’s already much better. Prior to doing the job, I went to a local woodworking shop and he mentioned how dense and heavy the rosewood was … and it was amazing to see it sanded … a very tight grain. Anyway … before and after.
The difference is day and night. Kudos for taking the initiative to modify (improve) the set's aesthetics. It appears now to be, balanced. Bravo!
Aug 30, 2024
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#335
Thanks a lot … and now with a little more finesse. A fun little project. 
Great work! Everything always feels different, when you have invested some work on your own in my opinion. And the knights certainly look as they should now.
Aug 31, 2024
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#338
I also decided to get rid of the lazy drill hole that creates a gap in the jaw, reins and neck … I notice my higher quality pieces have that area carved out … even in a total amateur’s hand I quite like effect - it’s gives the knights more attitude and personality … still more to finesse but I could easily stop here and be happy.
Before …
After
The Knight that you’ve given attention looks amazingly better than before—in a word, it was hideous, and now it looks formidable.
Kudos @Powderdigit for being courageous enough and willing to remedy another woodworker’s efforts, and to showcase the great results. You are a hero to many!! 🏆☝🏽
Good decision. The board fits perfectly, as if the meant to be used together.