An important walnut and fruitwood parquetry games table Baroque, 18th century

the top inlaid with stylized flower heads and stars at borders, the middle turning gaming surface, on spiral twisted legs, joined by X-shaped stretcher, on bun feet, with various games from different periods

The present table is a rare piece of furniture with an enormous amount of different table games and gaming pieces, the earliest apparently from the 17^th century. The beginnings of the use of games tables are hard to trace, but it is known that pool tables were already in use in the 16^th century. The games table became an essential piece of furniture for the noble salons of the European upper classes, especially in the 18^th century. This table proofs that popular table games were handed on from generation to generation and fitted into new custom-made tables treasuring the equipment for nearly endless diverting entertainment, from table bowling to backgammon, from chess to checkers.