This site has had 1524094 hits since 19/04/2013
This is a beautiful example of an ivory and bamboo tile set imported into the United States by the Mah-Jongg Sales Company of America. This set is featured in their 1922 catalogue, which states; "Style XXX De Luxe. As shown above. Retail price $400.00. Genuine ivory and bamboo standard tiles packed in a five drawer lacquered and silver cabinet. Decoration surpasses description. Must be seen and handled to be fully appreciated. Our artists have put the Soul of the Orient into this set, and inscribed their dream picture on each of its four sides and top. Our Babcock's Red Book of Rules with each set." Each of the four number one Cash/Circles has a sinogram in red. From top to bottom you zi ma que = ziyou maque = "maque freedom" or Mah-Jong Freedom".
The Flowers/Seasons. From left to right; zhong [a shorthand for 'China'], hua [efficient], ma [hemp], que [bird], pai [tiles], gong [public], si [department], zhi [hand made]. Thus we have zhong hua (ma que pai) (gong si) zhi = "hand made by the efficient Mah-Jongg Company of China". The red numbered quartet show modes of transport and the green numbered quartet show various architectural structures.
As noted in the catalogue description above, the cabinet is lacquered in black and various scenes are inscribed in silver on four sides. Gold coloured handles.
Side view.
Side view.
Side view.
A beautifully engraved ivory and bamboo tile set with complete ivory sticks, dice, Directions markers and directions holder. Ornately engraved suit tiles with a flying Crane.
The green sinograms of the first quartet of Flowers/Seasons read, from top to bottom, chang [cheerfully, happy], xu [ to chat, to speak], you [deep and remote, secluded, quiet, tranquil, serene], qing [ feelings, affection, sentiment] = "chang xu you qing" = "chat cheerfully about one's own feelings". The plant flowers are peony? [riches/wealth, distinction/credit], lotus flower+bud+leaf [complete union], wild apple? [the hall of a house], narcissus [married couple] = "may your marriage be a complete union and your house stand in riches and credit". The objects beside the containers are a lute [jin], chess [game [qi], book [shu] and painting [hua] = the Four Arts of the Scholar. The red sinograms of the second quartet are, top to bottom, bo [to have , to get], gu [past, ancient time], tan [to discuss, to speak], jin [present, today] = "bo gu tan jin" = "have an extensive discussion of the past and present". The plants are plum [li], orchid [lan], bamboo [zhu] and chrysanthemum [ju] = the four noble plants. The fruit are pear, li, [long life], peach, tao, [riches], pomegranate, shi-liu, [many children] and apple?, ping-guo, [peace] = "may you have a peaceful long life with riches and many children". The two phrases from the sinograms from each quartet are very old expressions. When combined they mght say "discuss about the past and present, enthusiastically tell one's own feelings".
Case for the tiles. A lesather bound container with leather handle and five leather-lined trays inside. Metal clasps to the sides plus a lock to the front.