19th Century Killarney Marquetry Game Table

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19th C. Killarney Game Table. A rare piece produced in Killarney, County Kerry during the mid-Victorian period for the burgeoning … Read more 19th C. Killarney Game Table. A rare piece produced in Killarney, County Kerry during the mid-Victorian period for the burgeoning tourist trade. Crafted with finely veneered yew and native arbutus wood, the top is inlaid with scenes such as Muckross Abbey framed by ferns, berry and shamrock borders, and opens to reveal playing surfaces for backgammon, chess and cribbage, with additional inlaid roundels depicting local ruins and landscapes — motifs drawn from guidebook engravings and the scenic surroundings that attracted visitors to the Lakes of Killarney in the 19th century. The tapered octagonal column and shaped base are similarly adorned with symbolic Irish ornamentation, reflecting both skilled marquetry and the region’s historic appeal as a destination for British and European travelers at the height of the Irish souvenir furniture industry. See less