Posted 8 years ago
FinnishFish
(3 items)
For the past 50 years this was a side table in my grand mothers home, not having been used for games since maybe the 60s or 70s. She says it came from her childhood home in what is nowadays Russia but used to be Finland. Her guess was that the table might be some 150 years old, mind you maths is no longer her strong suit. I'm hoping for any clues as to the age of the table and search terms for the style to find other tables like it. Also guesses to country of origin would be appreciated. Can't find any marking suggesting date or maker. I'm not intending to host poker nights for my friends on it as it feels rather fragile.
Love the different play cards.Would you mind separating out the ones with the people on the front, so we can see them.
Table's very lovely too ;>) Beautiful surface.
Do you think those brushes were used to keep the felt clean?
Some of those cards are quite valuable. One looks decidedly Russian.
I'm doing a Show & Tell for the cards right now, will provide a link in a second. You're probably right about the brushes. The surface of the table is quite nice but it is unfortunately a bit "McDonalds-M" bent, folding towards the middle and the sides ever so slightly.
More pictures and some info of the cards can be found here: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/221477-old-finnish-russian-playing-cards
That bit of carving is quite beautiful underneath the top, very rarely seen carving. The base looks renaissance revival.
Nice! I would guess that 1860-1870 (neo rococo in Northern Europe) shouldn't be unlikely. Prior to that (Neo classicism, Empire) would have been less ornate and with a more classic design. Compare with these http://www.santikmobler.com/album/stoly-stolky/a4302-spelbord-nyrokoko-mahogny-1880-80-x-42-cm-h-77-cm-1850-jpg/
https://www.barnebys.se/auktioner/objekt/437483930/spelbord-mahogny-nyrokoko-1800-talets-slut/
It seems to be made of veneered spruce, which makes Northern Europe e.g. Helsinki, Stockholm or Leningrad likely.
Sorry, I still say Leningrad. Must be getting old...!
Absolutely gorgeous table!