Description
Mahjong Ivory Bamboo Set
This collectible item is an antique Mahjong (also known as mah jong or Mah-Jongg) game set. Mahjong (Chinese in origin) is played by 4 people with 144 tiles that are drawn and discarded until one player secures a winning hand.
The Mahjong Ivory Bamboo Set is contained within a rosewood box measuring approximately 17cm tall x 24.5cm wide x 16cm deep. The box has an exquisite design carved on the sides, brass handles, decorative corners, and 5 pull-out trays.
Inside the trays, soft tissue separates the layers of ivory and bamboo tile game pieces that date back to the mid 20th century. The following game pieces are included:
- 2 Bone Dice;
- 2 Round Counters; and
- Tiles:
- Suite tiles (108 numbered 1-9): Circles/Dots (4 copies=16); Bamboo (4 copies=16); and Chinese Characters/wan (4 copies=16);
- Honors tiles: Winds (4 copies=16) - East, South, West, North; and Dragons (4 copies=16) - red, green, white;
- Bonus tiles: Flowers (Plum, Orchid, Chrysanthemum, Bamboo), and Seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter); and
- Blank tiles (8).
The elaborate detail of the carvings and the painting took a great deal of skill to make, such as the round circles on the Dots and how the connected tiles show a continuous scene and tell a story.
There are two flaws: 1) the word Mahjong is lightly etched into the rosewood on the front of the box, and 2) sometimes the button you press to open the front panel sticks.
Otherwise, this Mahjong Ivory Bamboo Set is in great condition.
Click on these links to find out what long-time collectors say about Mahjong Treasures and about Antique Mahjong Sets.
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