EXCEPTIONAL & RARE EARLY 19TH CENTURY MAHOGANY BAGATELLE PARLOR GAME ON FITTED MAHOGANY FRAME
Thank you for shopping with Bay Colony Antiques. We're a third generation family owned business furnishing homes all over the world. We've been hard at work aggressively pursuing important decorative arts and antiques for our discerning clients.
With our utmost pleasure and highest regards we're honored to offer for sale this wonderful early 19th century table top bagatelle table parlor game on fitted base. Bagatelle was among the most popular parlor games of the 19th century.
The name suggests a French origin however it's not agreed upon on the exact origin of the game. Above is an early lithograph of Abraham Lincoln playing on a similar bagatelle table. It's also rumored French soldiers would bring their bagatelle games with them as they fought alongside American soldiers during the Revolutionary War. We like to imagine the conversations our forefathers might have had playing a friendly game. Traditional Bagatelle tables are made with a slate or mahogany bed cushioned and lined with felt. This example is crafted from old growth Cuban mahogany one of the most expensive timbers being imported at the time. We are some of the most aggressive furniture buyers in the country and seldom get a run at these, they simply don't surface. We were delighted to acquire two of these in the same estate. The players stand at the squared edge and use the cue stick to hit balls toward the 9 scored pockets. This table was exceptionally cared for and it shows. The table has a inlaid maple double scoring system running along the vertical sides and a decorative brass escutcheon plate with original 3 pronged lock. The exterior case is fitted with brass hooks and eyelets to further secure shut. The table can be folded and stored away in it's custom mahogany fitted frame for use as a coffee / parlor table.
