19th Century Child’s Mahogany Bagatelle Table, circa 1840

19th century child’s mahogany Bagatelle table, circa 1840, mounted on a period custom base. The shallow rectangular mahogany case is hinged to open as a felt lined playing table, with appropriate depressions and shaped corners, set upon a fitted rectangular stand with expanding slide to accommodate the table when opened. The game is accompanied by a cue stick and the required number of balls; the cue ball is original to the game, but the target balls are later replacements. Thought to have been invented (or at least named) at Le Chateau de Bagatelle, and believed to have evolved from the English “shovel board”, Bagatelle is a tabletop game where nine balls seek to land in depressions of various points. The games were typically fashioned as folding side tables; a child’s table is quite scarce, and creates the perfect height for a small coffee table or side table.

Dimensions closed: 18 ½ in H x 22 7/8 in L x 14 1/8 in W Dimensions opened: 16 ¾ in H x 42 ¾ in L x 14 1/8 in W