ITEM SW01239: A Serpentine Rosewood Gaming Table, China, 19th century

This gaming table is a relatively rare form and composed of all solid rosewood with beautiful dovetailing, and hand carving throughout. Note the cabinetry on the top apron of this table. The sides of the apron are all of the solid, as is the whole table, with hand-shaped panels applied to serpentine sides. It's a two-board top, and there is some shrinkage, evidencing its age. Of course, a strip can be added as filler. This table retains all four of its small "chip drawers".

The supports are beautifully carved and curved of the solid, and a distinctive base provides this table a nice counterbalance to the top. Note, this table was made for moving, as the top comes off (see below).

Of interest, is that small clippings of newspaper which lined the bottom of the small drawers, a from a 1940's-era English-language Singapore publication.

This table has a beautiful mellow amber tone, due obviously to a number of years in the sun and makes an interesting stand-up work table not confined to being against a wall, as it is finished on all sides.

Height: 32 1/2 in. Width: 30 in. Depth: 32 1/2 in.