A rare pair of Russian Bone, Ebony and Fruitwood inlaid Rosewood and Marquetry card tables, 18th/19th century

each with a rectangular top with rounded corners inlaid with ribbon tied berried laurel and musical instruments and the words 'contra dans', each corner with a quiver of arrows, opening to reveal a baise-lined interior, inlaid with scrolling foliage and flowers, the shaped frieze inlaid with musical instruments,  berried laurel and flowerheads, on cabriole legs, with pierced rocaille knee mounts the interior inlay on the tops late 18th century (2) each 75.5cm. high 99.5cm. wide, 49.5 cm. deep when closed 99.5cm, deep when open; 2ft 5¾in., 3ft. 3¼in., 1ft. 7½in

Sold Sotheby's, London, 11th June 2003, Lot 80

Colour slightly darker overall, less orange, more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Old very minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age especially to the top. The mounts are slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. Hairline cracks in the tops, some of which have been restored in the past but are opening up again but these can easily be filled or left. The exterior is slightly faded and could benefit from a repolish according to taste. The inside of the tops have retained their colour. Very attractive detail to marquetry decoration. There is a minor section of veneer missing generally, especially to the edges which can easily be restored. Some very minor lifting of veneer especially to the sides and some very minor restorations to the veneer, especially to the tops which show a slightly darker colour. A rare pair in overall good restored condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature

The Art of Marquetry in Eighteenth century Russia, Moscow, 1989, fig. 30, illustrates a section of the parquet floor in Catherine II's Bedchamber with similar treatment of the berried laurel.  Also see p. 117, fig. 137 for the inside of a top with similar border decoration.

A.V. Alexeieva et al, Pavlovsk, The Collections, Paris, 1993, p. 105, fig. 8, for an 18th century gaming table of similar form.  Also see fig. 9 for a table with a top which is similarly inlaid on the interior.

The English form of this table reflects the English influence on Russian furniture often made by English craftsmen working at Catherine II's court in the 18th century.  The musical trophies on the table are in the style of French and German cabinet-makers, although the use of indigenous woods and the style of the marquetry in general indicate a Russian origin.

Russian cabinet makers used many different woods to great effect including exotic woods which were imported in small quantities but they also had a wide variety of indigenous woods available for their use as evidenced by their skillful combination on this pair of games tables. Their use of coloured woods made brightly coloured tinting superfluous and as a result the workmanship was very elaborate and detailed with the marquetry decoration following the flamboyant style of Russian decoration.

A Russian games table of mid 18th century date of identical form and with musical trophies on the top coming with a Russian Imperial Collection provenance was sold at Sotheby's, New York, 4th May 1985.  Also see a related pair of games tables also 18th century, inlaid on the tops with playing cards, sold as lot 790, from the Dorrance Collection, Sotheby's, New York, 20th October 1989.