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
-
Greenock
- Culture
- Period
-
1871
- Theme
- Size
-
- H:
- 76cm
- W:
- 48cm
- D:
- 970cm
- Colour
- Material
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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.