Set, Mah-Jongg
2021-2864
from the collection of
Title
Mah-Jongg SetCreation Date
1920sDimensions
6.125 in H x 6.125 in W x 5.875 in D x 9 in L Other (see measurement notes)
Cabinet
5.438 in H x 8.5 in L Other (see measurement notes)
Slide-top door
5.375 in W x 8.313 in L Other (see measurement notes)
Mahjong tile drawers
1.313 in H x 5.438 in W x 1.125 in D x 8.375 in L Other (see measurement notes)
Bottom drawer
1.25 in H Other (see measurement notes)
Mahjong tile
2.75 in L Other (see measurement notes)
Red 1 counting stick
3 in L Other (see measurement notes)
Red 5 counting stick
2.25 in L Other (see measurement notes)
Black 2 counting stick
2.5 in L Other (see measurement notes)
Black 10 counting stick
Wind indicator
Coin
Wind indicator coin
Count
132 og tiles; 12 replacement tiles; 113 counting sticksDescription
A Mahjong (Mah-jongg, in the US) set consisting of painted tiles of carved cow's shin bone mounted on bamboo, bone counting sticks, wind indicator, and a coin minted in Guangzhou during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor (1871-1908) of the Qing Dynasty. The set is encased in a five-drawer rosewood slide-front cabinet case with brass brackets, handles, and rectangular Chinese script carved on the front. Some of the original tiles have been lost and have been replaced by wood blocks with paper reproductions of the character suit pasted on.Mahjong is a tile-based game similar to rummy, created in China during the Qing Dynasty. The game became popular in the United States during the 1920s, with Abercrombie & Fitch importing sets similar to this one with a National Mah Jongg League of America being established in 1937. Mahjong is popular in East/Southeast Asia with differing rule variations depending on country and region, China alone has more than 30 rule variations.