McLAGHLIN Counter, Chinese Antique Armorial Mother Of authentic Pearl Gaming Counter, Armorial Counter, Gaming Token, 1840.

Top quality armorial gaming counter with deep carving decoration, hand carved by the old folk from Canton during 1840's.
Crest: a salmon naiant;
Motto: FORTIS ET FIDUS
(Strong and Trusty)
On the reverse, there is a fulling scene showing that two man fetch water in the wild. One man is carrying two baskets water by the shoulder. Another man is too tired, sitting on a rock for a rest.
Counter made circa 1840.
***please notice, there is a small crack on the top on armorial side.
Size: 63mm*24mm, Thickness: 2.4mm.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In the 18th century all society people played cards including Queen Charlotte, the court and the nobility as well as the middle and poorer classes. Voltarete was the most popular game and also Pope Joan, Hombre and Quadrille.
Chinese gaming counters were available for all types of people, ranging in quality and price, from the counters made for the queen to the mass-produced counters made in Canton by the thousands.
They were always made of mother-of-pearl from shells from the Pacific Islands, cut, carved and decorated by hand to incredibly high standards. Later sets included to the reverse scenes of Chinese life, as this was when chinoiserie was all the rage.

Please check the pictures completely before you place the order. Feel free to ask me if you have any question, I will get back to you as soon as possible.