Hi Robert,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Mah-Jongg (or Mahjong) is a traditional Chinese tile-based game that originated in the Qing Dynasty and has since become popular worldwide. It is typically played by four players and involves skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. The game is played with 144 tiles, featuring Chinese characters, bamboo, dots, winds, dragons, and bonus tiles (flowers and seasons).
Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles to form a complete hand, usually consisting of four sets (three tiles each) and a pair. The goal is to form a winning hand, known as Mahjong, following specific hand combinations.

The Chinese characters on the front are simply the characters for "Mahjong"; the use of English terminology indicates this was made for the export/tourist trade and probably dates to the early to mid 20th Century.

Comparable mah-jongg sets that have sold at auction recently have brought prices ranging from $700-1,000.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A vintage Chinese export brass bound elm Mah-Jongg set
made in China, early to mid 20th Century
The rectangular box with brass mounts and double top handles, the case inlaid with Chinese characters for "Mah Jongg", the front panel sliding up to reveal a pull-out stack of five drawers holding ivory, bone or plastic playing pieces and the original English-language player's manual. Paper label marked "Made in China" on the underside.
6-1/4 inches high, 9-1/4 inches wide, 6-1/4 inches deep
CONDITION: This box appears to be in very good original condition with minor wear commensurate to age and use.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$700-1,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia