19th-Century Folding Picnic and Cards Table

Folding Picnic Table
William Paulgrave Ellmore
Circa 1898

This mahogany table is a rare example of British campaign furniture, designed to fold up for travel. The brass plaque beneath the lid of the card well bears the patent number 27069, which corresponds to an 1898 patent for a “”Combination folding luncheon and card table designed to be carried in a luncheon basket,”” attributed to William Paulgrave Ellmore.

The table’s legs fold in pairs, locking into place with hinged iron bars. The top features two leaves with brass hinges, allowing it to double in size. It stands on well-turned legs and is slightly lower than standard table height. The accompanying leather carrying straps are stamped with “”D.E. Morris & Co Limited”” and “50” alongside the broad arrow, indicating the table’s military use.

During the Georgian and Victorian periods, British officers, along with high social standing, expected their military campaigns to offer the same comforts as their homes. This demand led to the creation of campaign furniture, designed to combine the elegance of fine household items with the practicality of easy transport. Known as “”knock-down furniture,”” campaign pieces were crafted with exceptional ingenuity. These designs could be disassembled, transported and reassembled quickly without tools, making them ideal for military use.

Their practical and elegant functionality allowed officers to create opulent settings in their tents that mirrored the grandeur of England’s finest interiors. The luxurious tents were as much a display of political power as they were beautiful. Given its extensive travel across continents, finding an exceptional example of this revolutionary design, especially in such pristine condition, is truly extraordinary.

Fully open: 23 7/8″” high x 26 1/4″” wide x 29 1/2″” deep
Closed: 3 1/2″” high x 26 1/4″” wide x 14 3/4″” deep