Beschreibung:

A FINE AND RARE FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED TULIPWOOD, MAHOGANY AND MARQUETRY EXTENDING GAMES-TABLE
BY FRANÇOIS LINKE THE MOUNTS DESIGNED BY LÉON MESSAGÉ, PARIS, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY
A FINE AND RARE FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED TULIPWOOD, MAHOGANY AND MARQUETRY EXTENDING GAMES-TABLE BY FRANÇOIS LINKE THE MOUNTS DESIGNED BY LÉON MESSAGÉ, PARIS, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY With extension mechanism doubling the length, the hinged fold-over swivelling top inlaid to the outside with a musical trophy, the reverse with a baize-lined playing surface and removeable roulette gambling board, the interior fitted with a roulette wheel within a floral-inlaid surround, and with a box with sliding foliate-inlaid lid with acanthus handle, the interior containing mother-of-pearl counters, a domino set, an ebony and ivory draughts set, ivory whist counters and roulette balls, each lifting out to reveal a baize-lined backgammon board, a further inlaid lidded compartment to the end containing an ebony and ivory chess set, the foliate-inlaid serpentined sides centred to the front and back by a seaweed-draped mermaid mask and flanked to the ends with an acanthus clasp, on espagnolette-headed cabriole legs terminating in paw sabots; the ormolu moulding to the top front right corner signed F. Linke 30½ in. (77.4 cm.) high, closed; 37¼ in. (94.6 cm.) wide, closed; 78¼ in. (198.7 cm.) wide, fully extended; 22 in. (55.8 cm.) deep, closed