Tien Gow, Chinese dominoes. Fu Zhóu, first half... Lot 33

Tien Gow, Chinese dominoes. Fu Zhóu, first half of the 20th century. 63 bakelite tiles. Lacquered wooden box. Brass clasp. Marks of use. Damaged box. Measures: 7,5 x 20,5 x 10,5 cm (box); 6 x 2,5 cm (counters). This domino was manufactured in the coastal city of Fu Zhóu, one of the most industrial cities in China, as the stamp on the inside of the lid indicates. Ancient Chinese dominoes (Tien Gow or Tin Kau), consisting of 63 bakelite dominoes. In its original box, in lacquered wood with vegetal motifs. Tien Gow or Tin Kau is the name of Chinese gambling games played with a pair of dice or a set of 32 Chinese dominoes. In these games, Heaven is the top rank of the civilian suit, while Nine is the top rank of the military suit. The civilian suit was originally called Chinese costume while the military costume was called barbarian costume but this was changed during the Qing dynasty to avoid offending the Manchu ruler.