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ID #SA1235992
FOR SALE
£350
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126 Chinese Mother of Pearl Gaming Counters 19th Century
For sale by Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd
for sale €410     $445
£350
Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd

Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2026
Browse dealers 27 items
  • About Us
    We buy and sell paintings, watercolours, prints and drawings from the 17th to the 20th century
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Id #SA1235992
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126 Chinese Mother of Pearl Gaming Counters 19th Century

19th century
Description

Comprising of (31) ROUND - (15) short RECTANGLE - (72) long RECTANGLE and (8) ODD counters. The box is in poor condition, missing one side and the lid. The counters are approximately 1 mm thick.

Declaration

Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd has dated these Chinese Export Gaming Counters to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1235992
Dealers Notes

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Description
Comprising of (31) ROUND - (15) short RECTANGLE - (72) long RECTANGLE and (8) ODD counters. The box is in poor condition, missing one side and the lid. The counters are approximately 1 mm thick.
Date of Manufacture

Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd has dated these Chinese Export Gaming Counters to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1235992
Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd
Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2026

We buy and sell paintings, watercolours, prints and drawings from the 17th to the 20th century

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd Profile Page

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A collection of 126 engraved Chinese mother of pearl gaming counters in round and rectangular shapes arranged inside a fitted wooden tray.
1 / 3
Archive I A collection of 126 engraved Chinese mother of pearl gaming counters in round and rectangular shapes arranged inside a fitted wooden tray.

126 Chinese Mother of Pearl Gaming Counters 19th Century

Archive II A collection of 126 engraved Chinese mother of pearl gaming counters in round and rectangular shapes arranged inside a fitted wooden tray. View II
Archive III A collection of 126 engraved Chinese mother of pearl gaming counters in round and rectangular shapes arranged inside a fitted wooden tray. View III
Enlarged Archival View
Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd

Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd
Telephone 07790 208712
Location
Powys
Wales
United Kingdom

By appointment.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/rfa
Verified Since Sep 2026
Items For Sale 27
Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd
Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd
Verified Since Sep 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Powys, Wales, United Kingdom, , By appointment.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/rfa
Verified
Sep 2026
For Sale
27
A collection of 126 engraved Chinese mother of pearl gaming counters in round and rectangular shapes arranged inside a fitted wooden tray.
126 Chinese Mother of Pearl Gaming Counters 19th Century
Ref: SA1235992
A collection of 126 engraved Chinese mother of pearl gaming counters in round and rectangular shapes arranged inside a fitted wooden tray.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectGaming Counters
  • Period19th century
  • StyleQing Dynasty / Chinese Export
  • MaterialMother of Pearl, Wood
  • ColourIridescent White
  • MotifsFloral engraving, Circular and rectangular forms, Incised geometric borders

This nineteenth-century Chinese export set comprises one hundred and twenty-six mother of pearl gaming counters, consisting of thirty-one round counters, fifteen short rectangular counters, seventy-two long rectangular counters, and eight odd counters. Each iridescent white piece is engraved with floral motifs and incised geometric borders. The counters measure approximately 1 mm in thickness and are arranged inside a fitted wooden tray. The box exhibits poor condition, lacking the lid and one side. This antique set suits display within a gentleman's library, arranged neatly on a bookshelf. The collection works well as a decorative display object for an enthusiast of historic gaming items or nineteenth-century Asian export works, adding traditional texture and material interest to a study or living area interior.

FAQs

Chinese mother of pearl gaming counters are hand-carved nacre tokens produced in China during the 18th and 19th centuries, specifically designed for export to Europe to score card games such as quadrille, ombre, and whist.

These counters were crafted from the iridescent shells of marine molluscs, known as nacre or mother of pearl, which were cut, shaped, polished, and intricately incised with delicate toolwork before being housed in wooden or lacquered boxes.

Authentic pieces feature crisp, hand-engraved details such as cross-hatching, flora, fauna, or crests, exhibiting natural variations in iridescent lustre, slight hand-cut irregularities, and smooth wear consistent with age.

They are typically displayed within shallow glass-topped shadow boxes, arranged on decorative trays atop coffee tables, or showcased inside glass cabinets to capture natural light and highlight the iridescent surface.

Preserve nacre by wiping gently with a soft, lint-free cloth and storing items away from direct heat, sunlight, and extreme moisture fluctuations to prevent drying out, cracking, or loss of lustre.
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