Fidelys Schey (master, 1777–died 1788), 18th-century Backgammon Table.

Made of blond mahogany and mahogany veneer, this rectangular table features two opposing drawers set into the side panels and rests on four slender, tapered, fluted legs.

Its removable tabletop is lined on one side with leather suitable for use as a writing surface and, on the other, with felt, allowing for card games.

The recessed center of the table reveals a panel inlaid with stained wood and ebony veneer, designed for playing trictrac, an old board game played with dice. The side drawers are designed to hold the dice, cups, and tokens.

Backgammon is a game of skill and chance for two players, considered the predecessor of backgammon. The objective is to move one’s checkers according to the roll of the dice in order to score the highest number of points over a set number of games.
A slot is visible below.

The original leather is preserved in its raw state.

Good overall condition.

Stamped F. Schey.

Louis XVI-era piece; late 18th century.

Dimensions: 114 x 60 cm

H : 74 cm.

Born in the Duchy of Baden, this prolific cabinetmaker—despite the relative brevity of his career—settled on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and opened a retail shop near his workshop, which he entrusted to his wife. His prolific output includes Transition-style furniture and, above all, well-crafted Louis XVI pieces. It is known that in 1786 he supplied gaming tables for the Château de Fontainebleau.

The inventory drawn up after his death mentions bookcases made of Chinese lacquer and “Parisian” varnish. But overall, he primarily produced furniture made of veneered wood adorned with inlaid panels or medallions, generally executed in a rather rustic style.

Schey also produced mahogany furniture, some adorned with copper fillets or thin bronze rods—simple, classical pieces of the sort commonly made toward the end of Louis XVI’s reign. Notable among these are a few “guillotine-style” writing desks—that is, topped by a cabinet body—and rather refined small pieces such as console tables, serving tables, refreshment stands, various parlor tables, etc.

Part of the collections of the Musée Jacquemart-André at Abbaye de Chaalis.