circa 1740, exquisitely crafted, with figured mahogany tray molded top lifting to reveal a compass star and bellflower inlaid backgammon board, flanked by inlaid chip holders with sliding lids, underside of the reversible top set with tooled green leather playing surface and four recessed chip cups, short skirt sides each set with a flip up candle support supported by hinged metal brackets, with molded and scalloped lower edge, front skirt set with a single long drawer with burlwood veneers centering an inlaid shell, divided drawer interior, finely dovetailed with oak linings, over a pull out inlaid checkerboard, finely rendered cabriole legs set with marquetry inlaid knees and inlaid scrolled returns resting on well carved ball and claw feet, skirts set with finely figured veneers, 28-1/4 x 31-1/2 x 23-1/4 in.Literature: illustrated in The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, Yale University Press, 2007, catalog no. 61. The authors note that this table is "the finest Irish games table known".Exhibited: Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840, Art Institute of Chicago, 2015. Illustrated in the accompanying catalog as figure 1, catalog no. 232 - Provenance: Estate of Robert K. Johnson, Aiken, South Carolina surviving in a very fine state of preservation, there are scattered veneer cracks and repairs to top with other stains and finish wear, minor veneer cracks and possible repair at one side skirts, feet formerly fitted with casters and now capped with small metal caps, one rear foot with break and repair, one front toe with break and glue repair, modern leather playing surface in good condition, scattered typical minor bumps, wear, and surface flaws consistent with age and use