One-of-a-Kind Antique Mahjong Set From the 1920s in Amazing Carved Box

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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 4 blank tiles, a 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. The condition of the set is astounding: it is in amazing shape.

The carving is outstanding and the flowers reproduce characters of Chinese opera.

The box is the star of the show. It is a fully carved box with an ox and a monkey at the handle and scenes of court life and fights from Chinese opera. It has been waxed and conditioned and lined with velvet.

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