Bagatelle is a billiards-derived indoor table game, the object of which is to get a number of balls past wooden pins into holes that are guarded by wooden pegs. Penalties are incurred if the pegs are knocked over. It probably developed from the table made with raised sides for trou madame, which was also played with ivory balls and continued to be popular into the later 19th century, after which it developed into bar billiards, with influences from the French/Belgian game billard russe. A bagatelle variant using fixed metal pins, billard japonais, eventually led to the development of pachinko and pinball. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples and price guides of antique, bagatelle games / tables including a Victorian foldaway table and a Disney pinball game.
A VICTORIAN FOLDAWAY BAGATELLE TABLE
LATE 19TH CENTURY
With baize interior and turned legs
32 ½ in. (83 cm.) high; 96 in. (244 cm.) long when open; 24 ¾ in. (63 cm.) deep.
Sold for GBP 875 at Christie’s in 2014
Mahogany Bagatelle Set
Mounted on a stand as a low table. Height 19 inches, length (closed) 48 inches, depth 25 inches.
Sold for $346 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2014
(Disneyland, c.1950s-60s) A Disneyland Game by Wolverine Toys. Wolverine Toys, known for their bagatelle pinball games of skill, manufactured this early “Disneyland Game.” Two versions of this popular game existed, a smaller handheld version, and also this larger tabletop version. The game features eight balls, five spinners, and one bell atop imagery of Disneyland’s five original lands in addition to the “Primeval World of the Dinosaurs” and the “Pirate Ship.” Measuring 23.25″x13.25″, the action toy is in very good condition with minor scratches and cracks to the cover. The original cardboard box is in fair condition with creases, folds, and tears throughout.
Sold for US$250 at Van Eaton Galleries in 2022
‘Corinthian Bagatelle’ Board
veneered and transfer printed plywood
7 by 27.8 by 59cm., 2¾ by 11 by 23¼in.
Manufactured circa 1950.
with steel ball bearings
Sold for 375 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2018
