| DESCRIPTION: A beautifully lacquered pair of whist counters featuring a design in hiramaki-e (metal dust sprinkled on wet lacquer, re-lacquered, and raised to a low relief), and inlaid ivory pegs (shibayama). Birds in flight among wisteria and peony blossoms are executed in gold and red lacquers on a black roiro ground (a glossy, mirror like black lacquer produced by repeated polishing). Each counter has eight ivory pegs inlaid with a different beetle, butterfly or spider crafted from mother of pearl or colored hard-stones.
Dating from the late 19th C., the detail on this pair is excellent, all the inlays are intact, and the counters are in very good condition with minimal chips or losses.
BACKGROUND: Counters like these were used to keep score in the game of whist, an immensely popular Victorian era card game, the precursor of bridge. The Japanese artisans who crafted netsukes and inro turned their talents to making whist counters for the export market during the Meiji era, and these counters were even produced in the workshops of Carl Faberge. In the 1880's Orientalism became the rage in Great Britain and France, and exotic Japanese whist counters were eagerly sought after. The small hinged pegs flip up to represent tricks taken, with three tricks making a game; the five larger tabs represent games won. Whist counters are found in various materials, from very simple wood counters, to beautifully elaborate lacquer and shibayama examples like this pair.
DIMENSIONS: 3 5/8” wide (9.2 cm) x 2 3/8” wide (6 cm).
Price: $995 Pair Stock #LC56 |
