French Marquetry Billiard Table

Beautifully constructed, this French billiard table was almost certainly made for an aristocratic country house of the 19th century, an age when billiards was a favored pastime of the European elite. Its neoclassical design features intricate wood marquetry throughout, and its body is adorned by fabulous bronze ball returns in the form of theatrical masks. Once pocketed, the ball drops into the mask, opening it and exposing the ball for retrieval. In terms of quality, rarity and beauty, it is one of the finest tables on the market.

The French aristocracy were enamored by the game of billiards. The term "billiard" is actually derived from the French word billart, meaning wooden stick, and bille, meaning ball. By the early 1800s, it had become known as the "Noble game of Billiards," and glorious tables such as this could be found in royal palaces and estates throughout Europe. Napoléon himself was known to have dabbled in the sport and even had a billiard table installed by the British at his residence of Longwood House during his exile on St. Helena. Opulent in decoration, grand in scale and rich in history, these tables speak volumes about why the game captured the attention of kings and commoners alike.

Circa 1870

105 1/4" wide x 57 1/2" deep x 34 1/2" high