Antique Regency period engraved fish mother-of-pearl gaming token

Here we have a beautiful antique Regency period engraved fish mother-of-pearl gaming token, late 18th to early 19th century. These were carved in China, most likely Canton province, for the export trade. Wealthy English or European individuals collected these and for an additional fee would have them customised with their initials or armorial crest.  These would have been used in different games such as whist or card games that were popular in the Regency period, and would have indicated different values.

In Chapter 16 of Pride and Prejudice, there is a mention of Lydia winning and losing ‘fish’ during a card game called “Lottery Tickets” (“Lydia talked incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the fish she had won”). These fish were the Regency equivalent of a modern day poker chip.

This particular “fish” has a charming motif of twin birds carved to the front.

Highly collectible, these are lovely to display and could be carefully used as bookmarks. These would also make lovely pendants if one had them mounted.

If interested in reading more, this website is an informative guide on the gambling scene of the bon ton (upper classes) in Regency and Victorian England: https://www.victorianweb.org/history/leisure/gambling1.html#:~:text=With%20little%20regard%20to%20such,and%20rouge%2Det%2Dnoir

Price marked at $40 AUD.

Measurements: 4.5cm length.

Overall very good to excellent antique condition, please note that the mother of pearl shows light wear commensurate with age.