Mahjong set in lacquered box, circa 1900. Consists of complete set of 144 bone and bamboo Mahjong tiles, dice, counters, markers, and wooden tile holders. Tiles adorned with both calligraphy and Western numbers as well as artwork and figures. Housed in decorative lacquered box with three drawers, adorned with brass handles and fittings, complete with key.
The game of Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy and calculation and involving a degree of chance. Originating in China over 3000 years ago during the Qing dynasty, it was originally played by Mandarins and restricted to the wealthy class. It was originally called Pinyin, meaning sparrow, as the clacking of tiles during shuffling resembles the chattering of sparrows. When China became a Republic in 1911 the game became popular with all classes of people, and expensive ivory tiles were replaced with those of bone and bamboo. The game was brought to England and America and very popular during Roaring Twenties, however there were many versions of the rules before the National Mahjong League standardized the rules in 1937. Although popularity waned in the middle of the 20th century, Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club” surged popularity in the 1990’s. Mahjong is still widely played throughout Eastern and South Eastern Asia and has a small following in Western countries, and has had a large resurgence in online gaming.
Size: 6 ⅛ h x 11 w x 7 ⅛ d in
D19825