Fine and Unusual Chinese Canton Export Carved and Pierced Filigree Ivory Gaming Box

Object Description

A Fine and Unusual Chinese Canton Export Carved and Pierced Filigree Ivory Gaming Box Containing Four Oval Boxes of Counters and Two Board Brushes
The inside lined in red velvet
Probably made for the game of ‘Loo’
Late 18th century – Early 19th century

Size: 8cm high, 22cm wide, 17.5cm deep – 3 ins high, 8¾ ins wide, 7 ins deep

Object History

Ex Irish Private collection
Ex Messel collection

Object Literature

‘Loo’ by the turn of the 18th century was England’s most popular card game. Played by three to eight people using a 52 card pack with gaming chips or counters, it is a game played for ‘tricks’ which in each round the players may pass or play. Any player failing to take a trick is ‘looed’ and adds 5 more gaming chips to the pool. The game is thought to have originated in France as a four or five card flush called ‘fiddlesticks’ which reached England with Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy circa 1660-85.

Object Details