Siam mother of pearl game token

[redwine]

Here are mine 
I always understood them to be for home use, some being personalised.  And linked with the Expats in the far east.

[malj1]

I think you are right about being for home use; in fact they are way too fragile for use in a casino they would barely last a week! 

I see some of those you show here are personalised with a monogram in the centre.


[I have since acquired another batch for trading, I think they number around 65. see scan]

[malj1]

Another recently acquisition, this needs a wash but I left the dirt to highlight the design. I can now bathe it.

It appears the Chinese gentleman is secretly making off.  The reverse has a cock which suggests French Indochina...

[Figleaf]

I suspect the cock is not Gallic but a reference to cock fights, popular all over South-East Asia. The man may be carrying a cock.

Peter

[malj1]

Yes that is a good thought.

Here is a close-up view. I can now see the man is empty-handed and is just about to step through a doorway but looking around first to see if he is observed.

...maybe he does have something in his right hand? The cock looks to be cheerful!

[jsalgado]

I have a few diferent chinese game mother of pearl and I appreciate any information about these pieces. Many thanks

[malj1]

Your mother of pearl game counters were used in Victorian times as counters for card games such as whist etc.

See above for more detail. [your topic has been merged with this existing thread]

[jsalgado]

Malcolm, many thanks.