Box thumbnail 1
Box thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Box

about 1775 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This box is made of wood and covered with mother-of-pearl. Inside are three smaller boxes full of counters, used in Europe for keeping the score and as stakes in gambling games. The counters are incised with the arms of the Best family, members of whom were involved with trade between Europe and Asia throughout the 18th century. They ordered Chinese porcelain for their own use on at least two occasions. This box was probably ordered by them in 1775.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 13 parts.

  • Counters (Short)
  • Counters (Short)
  • Counters (Long)
  • Counters (Circular)
  • Lid
  • Lid
  • Lid
  • Lid
  • Box
  • Box
  • Box
  • Box
  • Gaming Box
Materials and techniques
Wood veneered with mother-of-pearl
Brief description
Box, wood veneered with mother-of-pearl, Guangzhou, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong reign period (1736-1795), about 1775
Physical description
Wood box veneered with mother-of-pearl, oblong shape, partly pierced with floral designs, inside with three smaller boxes enclosing gaming counters incised with the arms of the Best family: 25 circular, 43 long oblong, and 44 short oblong.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6cm
  • Width: 24.5cm
  • Depth: 13.5cm
Styles
Gallery label
78 BOX FOR GAMING COUNTERS Carved mother of pearl on a wood core About 1775 13.5 x 6 x 24.5 cm 392-1878(pre 2005)
Object history
Purchased from Mrs. J. Hains (Red Hill, Chislehurst), accessioned in 1878. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Inside are three smaller boxes full of counters, used in Europe for keeping the score and as stakes in gambling games. The counters are incised with the arms of the Best family, who were involved with trade to Asia throughout the 18th century, and who ordered Chinese porcelain for their own use on at least two occasions. This box was probably ordered by them in 1775.;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Summary
This box is made of wood and covered with mother-of-pearl. Inside are three smaller boxes full of counters, used in Europe for keeping the score and as stakes in gambling games. The counters are incised with the arms of the Best family, members of whom were involved with trade between Europe and Asia throughout the 18th century. They ordered Chinese porcelain for their own use on at least two occasions. This box was probably ordered by them in 1775.
Bibliographic references
  • Clunas, Craig. Chinese Carving. London: Sun Tree Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1996. p. 32, fig. 26.
  • Clunas, Craig (ed.). Chinese Export Art and Design. London: V&A Publications, 1987. pp. 100-101, no. 78.
Collection
Accession number
392 to D/3-1878

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Record createdFebruary 6, 2003
Record URL
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