This unusual little table undoubtedly derives its inspiration from English and Continental versions. It is designed so that it could be employed for a variety of purposes. The top is inlaid with a game board for checkers or chess, which can be easily removed to disclose a painted backgammon board within the interior. When no longer required for gaming, its top could be reversed, revealing an unadorned mahogany board, suitable for card games such as whist, loo, quadrille, and faro. The overall dimensions and shape also suggest that it could function as a work, side, or breakfast table. 

Technical notes: Mahogany, unidentified inlay; eastern white pine. All four sides are finished, indicating that the table was meant to be seen in the round. The reversible top is secured by a leaf-edge tenon. Once removed it reveals a recessed area painted for backgammon with a low central divider; two more substantial dividers are at either end of the playing board. The drawer pulls appear to be ivory.  

Related examples: A small number of American tables with integral checker and backgammon boards are known: McClelland 1939, p. 190; Sack 1969–92. vol. 2, p. 316, no. 784; Sack 1969–92. vol. 5, p. 1247, no. P4100; Flanigan 1986, pp. 196–97, no. 79; Elder and Stokes 1987, pp. 128–29, no. 93. Tables with closely related components are illustrated in American Art Association, New York, February 24–26, 1921, lot 578; Antiques 47 (March 1945), p. 131; Montgomery 1966b, p. 363, no. 343; Sack 1969–92, vol. 1, p. 257, no. 639; Antiques 128 (December 1985), p. 1068; Sack 1969–92, vol. 10. p. 2695, no. P3459. 

Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff. American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.