Carved from Mother-of-Pearl, these elegant Chinese works of art date back as far as 250 years. Hand-engraved "counters" were originally made as sets of three or more shapes denoting different denominations and were used as gaming chips. Counters were commissioned by British Royalty and nobility during the Ch'ing Dynasty, the last dynasty of Imperial China.
Most counters were made between 1736 and 1796 during the reign of philosopher/ruler Ch'ien Lung. Symbolic scenes tell stories of Ch'ien Lung's poems, written to bring China and its people back to a peaceful and spiritual way of life after the end of the Ming dynasty. Heavily carved counters cut from thicker Mother-of-Pearl were crafted during the rule of Chia Ch'ing between1800 and 1820. Quadrille, Ombre and Loo were games played with these chips. Their demand tapered off around 1840 with the arrival of Bridge and Whist.
Usually engraved on one side with family crests and/or monograms, the other side illustrates some aspect of Chinese life. These scenes offer great insight into early Chinese culture and history. People, fish and other animals symbolize the physical world. The carp fish represents the common people. Animals signify character traits and clothing symbolizes social status. The peony, the flower of spring, represents blossoming youth; while a moth is the symbol of long life. Three people signify family respect - the most important aspect of Chinese culture. Four people indicate a story involving a visitor who could be a minister, worker, official or merchant.
To own an antique chinese gaming counter is indeed owning a piece of ancient history.
