1930s Chinese traditional mahjong set in original case, with tiles, bones and racks.

An unusual near antique Chinese traditional mahjong set in original case, circa 1930s, featuring bone and bamboo mahjong tiles as well as mahjong bones and racks. Comprising 148 tiles, with 4 being blanks, with the traditional Suits (Circles, Bamboo and Characters) as well as Honors (Winds, Dragons, Seasons, Flowers), as well as three dice in their own box.

These belonged to Superintendent Lovell who purchased these during his sojourn in Shanghai; he served in the Shanghai Municipal Force from 1914 to 1939. His remarkable life and career will be the subject of an upcoming article in Antiques to Vintage Magazine.

Price marked at $1600 AUD.

Mahjong box measurements: 13.5 by 15.5 cm base measurements, 8cm height. Mahjong racks 44cm length, 10cm width, 5.5cm height.

Good near antique condition, with varying levels of wear to tiles as pictured commensurate with use and age. Overall colours are still vibrant with some tiles being more worn than others. Wear and minor tears to 1930s fabric bag originally used to store the mahjong bones.