Qajar Lacquer Game Box with Thirty Four Bone Playing Cards

mid-19th century

Not on view

This painted lacquer game box holds thirty-four sticks made of bone with black and red dots at each end. Although the set is incomplete, the sticks were used to play a form of mahjong. The paintings on the lacquer box depict Sufis engaged in various activities such as smoking, contemplating a text, or visiting Sufi elders.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Qajar Lacquer Game Box with Thirty Four Bone Playing Cards
Date: mid-19th century
Geography: Made in Iran
Medium: Box: Papier-mache; painted and varnishedCards: Bone with opaque watercolor
Dimensions: H. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm)
W. 2 in. (5.1 cm)
D. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Ricky Aryeh in honor of Eskandar Aryeh, 2025
Object Number: 2025.568a–jj
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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