Card Table 1755 - 1790

This card table of anonymous origin invites a close look at its meticulous form and material presence. It is made of wood with a red felt surface. The first thing you may notice are the curved legs that end in stylized claw-and-ball feet. The surface is a rich red, a color often associated with games of chance. But, let's consider the form here. Notice how the craftsman has incorporated the practical elements of the game into the structure. Each player has a space for their cards and chips. The interplay between the dark wood and the red felt creates a field of visual tension. It suggests a dialogue between order and chance, the calculated moves of the players set against the random draw of the cards. The table isn't merely functional. It offers a carefully considered composition where material and form are intertwined. It presents a space for strategy and a stage for human interaction. What stories might this table tell? What fortunes have been won and lost? Its surface awaits interpretation.