originally used as traveling tea tables for the British soldiers in India; the octagonal top with central star medallion surrounded by inlaid meandering foliate vines; raised on a hinged base with arabesque spandrels; good antique antique condition with refreshed surface; top now attached to base; overall even wear and warm patina
the hinged circular top centering a beautifully inlaid checkboard on one side flipping to reveal an inlaid Parcheesi (Ludo) board on the reverse; raised in 4 dramatically incurved supports joined by a lower shelf fitted with a hidden compartment for game pieces; professionally refinished with minor warpage to top; Parcheesi is based on Pachisi, originated in India around the 4th century A.D. Its popularity headed west in the 1860s, first traveling to England, which had taken over rule of India from the British East India Company in 1858, and then further into Europe.
