This mahogany games table was made in Greenock around 1817 by J. H. Buchanan. It contains a compendium of games with boards, counters and dice, a dressing mirror, a writing slope and a print viewing apparatus.
Through the print viewing apparatus, a paper roll of engraved perspective views can be inspected. These views have mainly classical themes, such as 'Rome in its original glory'.
This table is also known as a 'Polyterpic' table. 'Polyterpic' means 'multiple enjoyment'.
Mahogany games table
Contributed by National Museums Scotland
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About this object
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- Location
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Greenock
- Culture
- Period
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1871
- Theme
- Size
-
- H:
- 76cm
- W:
- 48cm
- D:
- 970cm
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in Edinburgh and East of Scotland.
Comments
What an amazing piece, from the days when times where set aside for gaming activities uninterrupted by the frivolity of modernity. These days the nearest you will get is a game of chess in the few households that still play the great game, although the http://www.chessboard.org.uk/chess-table.php">chess tables I've seen of late, even the well made ones have nowhere near the craftsmanship of this one.
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