Thursday, April 19, 2012

vintage mahjong set

my Dad gave me this mahjong set that belonged to his grandfather
he knew I would love it
... yup ...


it probably dates from the 1920's
the tiles are ivory and bamboo
and is a nearly complete set (missing only the dragon tiles)


but, the front panel of the cabinet is gone ...
... what's a girl to do?


why, make one of course!


I embossed a piece of thin gauge metal
and added a photo of autumn dahlias from our garden
a little gesso adds some aging texture


I couldn't be happier

... and ...

a book about mahjong is on the way from amazon

15 comments:

~*~Patty S said...

and it couldn't be lovelier or more special after coming into your hands dear Kimmie!

all around wonderful!
oxo

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I would need that book to understand Mahjong. I have a lot of the tiles (they are tiny and I never knew what they were till now) and I've used them in my altered books, but I never knew they were a game. I certainly love that box, both the before, and even more so the after!

Carola Zajdman said...

My mother has the same one with the front panel !! yours is just great !!

Gayle Price said...

Perfect !! That looks so good, you ARE clever. The creative things you do with metal are just fantastic...it is such a foreign media to me, I wouldn't have a clue where to start. xx

Anonymous said...

What a treasured gift that was passed down. This is perfect!

Rita said...

Lovely! I know nothing about mahjong, so I hope you can play it without the dragon tiles. :)

Yvonne said...

I played mahjong years ago and loved it. What a great thing you have now especially since you added your special touch.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful set! I enjoy playing mahjong, but have never been lucky enough to play with a real set...just digitally. Your solution for the missing panel was ingenious!

K @ Aurora Blythe said...

What a precious family treasure made all the more wonderful by your artful addition. Great work!

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I am breathless...this is so beautiful! Peace, Mary helen

Charade said...

What a coincidence. I just retrieved an old Mahjong set from the games gathering dust in the basement so my knitting friends who are coming for the weekend can learn to play with me. My case is more like a suitcase, though, and not nearly as charming as yours. And I love the new front you made.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, lucky you that Dad passed this on and your take for the front is so great. I love you metal work combined with your photography. xox

Lynda Howells said...

You lucky girl.x I learnt to play Mahjong many many years ago in Dubai. It helped me to make new friends when l moved from country to country with my hiusband's job. Enjoyxxxlynda

Halle said...

Lovely! I've only played the computer versions of Mahjong. The tiles and box have a beautiful patina.

Lynn Cohen said...

Job well done. I gave my mom's set to a cousin who actually wanted to play it.
The box was not this shape or as nice.