Card table c. 1800

This card table, made by an anonymous maker, is a beautiful example of woodworking. Notice the range of different woods used in the table’s construction. The legs are a dark, straight-grained timber, perhaps mahogany, fluted to create a pleasing visual rhythm. The apron is inlaid with a lighter, burled wood and accented with dark banding. The process of making this table involved a high degree of skill. A cabinetmaker would have used saws, chisels, and planes to shape the wood, and a veneer saw to create thin sheets for the inlays. Details like the fluted legs would require a specialized tool. The surface would have been carefully polished to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. The value of this table lies not only in its functional design, but also in the artistry and labor that went into its creation. Appreciating the materials and making process invites us to see beyond the traditional categories of design, craft, and fine art.