Card and Writing Table (Table à quadrille brisé)

Card playing was a daily ritual among members of the French aristocracy and court in the 1700s, and large sums of money were won and lost at the gaming table. Supported by a fifth leg, the top of this table folds back to reveal a velvet covered surface that could be used for playing cards; the corner reserves and recessed channel around the edge of the table held betting markers. A writing slide complete with a drawer on either side could be slid out from under the body of the table. For the right-handed user, the right drawer contains an inkwell and sandpot. When not in use, the tabletop would remain folded and stored neatly against the wall.