An exceptional antique Chinese export mother-of-pearl gaming counter dating to the Georgian era, later housed within a bespoke sterling silver cage mount and preserved in its original fitted Buys & Badolett jewellery case from Cairo.
Chinese mother-of-pearl gaming counters were produced during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries for export to Europe, where they were used during fashionable card games in wealthy households. As tastes changed during the Victorian period, many surviving examples were transformed into wearable works of art by jewellers, giving these beautiful objects a second life.
This is a particularly fine and unusually large example. Expertly carved from a substantial disc of mother-of-pearl, the front depicts two figures within a traditional garden or courtyard setting surrounded by flowering plants and architectural elements. The carving is remarkably intricate, combining deep relief work, delicate engraving and openwork piercing. Particularly impressive is the pierce work, where the decoration continues behind the openings, creating an extraordinary sense of depth and showcasing the considerable skill of the original craftsman.
The reverse is decorated with an elegant floral wreath surrounding a vacant cartouche intended for a monogram. The mother-of-pearl displays beautiful soft iridescence with subtle flashes of pink, green and silver as it catches the light.
At some point in the late Victorian or early twentieth century period, the counter was housed within a custom-made sterling silver cage mount, allowing it to be enjoyed as a wearable object while preserving the integrity of the original carving. The precise purpose of the mount is now lost to time, though its substantial size and construction suggest it was intended for wear on clothing rather than as conventional jewellery.
A bespoke sterling silver ring, handcrafted by us specifically for this piece, accompanies the mount. Designed after examples of antique garment fasteners, it allows the piece to be secured through a buttonhole or similar opening and worn.
The piece is presented in its original fitted leather jewellery case, lined in cream silk and velvet and embossed for Buys & Badolett, the prestigious Cairo jewellers.
A rare and highly decorative example of Chinese export craftsmanship, combining the artistry of a Georgian gaming counter with the romance of a later wearable conversion and its original retailer's case.
DETAILS~
MATERIALS: Mother-of-pearl, sterling silver
DATE: Counter circa 1800, later mounted circa 1900–1930
MEASUREMENTS: 1¼ inches (3.2 cm) diameter
WEIGHT: 6.8 grams
CONDITION: Excellent antique condition. The mother-of-pearl remains beautifully preserved with exceptionally crisp carving and no chips, cracks or losses noted. The silver mount is secure and functions as intended. The fitted case displays age-related wear and light marks consistent with its age. Overall an outstanding and highly unusual survivor.
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At Mercy Madge we offer quality antique and vintage jewellery sourced in Great Britain. All of our pieces are professionally cleaned and polished so they are ready to wear and enjoy or give as a gift.
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