Stunning Antique Travel Mahjong Set From the 1920s

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Description

This is a one-of-a- kind 1920s antique mahjong set produced in China for the international market.

It includes 144 tiles … Read more This is a one-of-a- kind 1920s antique mahjong set produced in China for the international market.

It includes 144 tiles as well as wind bettor, counting sticks, and bone dices.

The mahjong is a traditional dovetailed mahjong made of bone and bamboo. The ration of bamboo and bone is about 1/5 bamboo 4/5 bone, that is, the highest quality.


What sets this making apart is its size: it is a travel mahjong. It is smaller than the standard sizes of the time. Despite the miniature size, the carving is exceptional and it is in excellent condition.

Of special note are the flowers: they use characters framed with floral and insect decoration. These kind of quality and detail is very hard to come by.

The box is in good used condition. It has been waxed and conditioned and lined with velvet. It only has 2 drawers.

Sets like this were exported from Mainland China to the US and European markets during the 1920s and 1930s during the Inter-War Mahjong Craze. They are testaments to the economic and cultural exchanges between China and Western Countries in the early half of the 20th century. They include beautifully carved tiles with Chinese characters and Arabic numbers and letters to facilitate the mechanics of the game for western players. This is an ideal and unique game for any Mahjong connoisseur and player or anyone interested in Chinese culture. See less