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In today's crass, throw-away world people have sought more meaningful items for themselves and as gifts for loved ones. Off-the-shelf items no longer suffice. The jewelry that I am offering here is imbued with the interactions of a multitude of humans who handled the tiles from which this jewelry is made in moments of fellowship and camaraderie. I can only believe that "good chi", as the Chinese say, that is, comfort and well-being, is rubbed into these tiles and manifests itself in those individuals who wear and handle these beautiful bracelets. HISTORY OF THE GAME OF MAHJONG The game of Mahjong purportedly dates back to Confucius, to the first millennium, B.C. At the turn of the century when much of China was under British colonial rule, English and other Europeans in cities such as Shanghai, became enthralled with this gambling game, similar to gin rummy. The game spread to America in the 1920’s, and the famous “Flappers”, the socialites of the period, spent their afternoons playing this very addictive game. Since the demand for Mahjong sets in America exceeded the supply in Shanghai (due to the shortage of large-boned animals in China), the slaughterhouses of Chicago were tapped for the shin- bones of cattle from which to construct the bone and bamboo playing tiles. The game gained popularity, especially with the Asian and Jewish communities in New York, San Francisco and Miami. During the Great Depression of the 1930’s, mahjong games filled the afternoons of housewives who had little joy in their lives but the social interactions provided by these gatherings. Though Mahjong saw its heyday in the 1930’s, it made a resurgence in the 1950’s. Since that time, however, it went underground for several decades, to reemerge in the 21st century as a major computer game, especially enjoyed by the young. Today the old game is experiencing a revival, providing modern-day players a renewed appreciation of all its fascinating twists and turns. THE BRACELETS These bracelets are museum quality, and are currently being displayed at several art galleries.They are fashioned from antique and vintage mahjong playing tiles. The oldest ones, dating from around 1850 to the turn –of-the-century, were carved from bone and bamboo, then slotted and glued together in a dovetail fashion. Other bracelets have tiles from the 1920’s, distinguished from the earlier Chinese tiles by the addition of arabic numerals, so that Europeans could use them. Still other tiles, those of the Depression Era, the 1930’s,were made in America. These butterscotch bakelite and white bakelite tiles have a less formal, more casual demeanor. All such mahjong tiles may be viewed in the Mahjong Museum. Each bracelet’s tiles are microscopic works of art – no two the same - hand carved and painted – with a patina that spans the decades. Only gemstone beads are used, and are chosen primarily in earth tones, to enhance the mellow patina of the once bright tiles. Gemstone beads for the bracelets include sodalite, a saturated blue stone, unakite, a green/orange stone evocative of autumn, carnelian, a cinnamon-red, moss-agate, with swirls of blue/green , black onyx, brecciated jasper, a deep red, pink rhodonite, African turquoise jasper, a mysterious dark green stone, pale yellow golden jade, and mottled picture jasper in swirls of gray, black, mauve and brown. You may have noticed that individual gemstone beads actively evoke different seasons of the year, as well as different coloring in individuals. THE BRACELETS AND FASHION These bracelets are simple and clean-lined, making them ideal for elegant occasions, or for casual wear. They are the perfect single-piece –of-jewelry for traveling. They are extremely sturdy, and fold up easily into a small carry pouch. They can be worn inside-out with the bamboo side against the gemstone beads, which adds yet another dimension to their versatility. The smaller tiled bracelets can also be worn in combinations of two bracelets, which enhances the “mahjong sound”. They also tend to be effective conversation pieces since they look so exotic on the wrist! The mahjong bracelets were created to be worn with fabrics such as diaphanous linens, or indigenous hand-woven cottons such as batiks, ikats and mudcloth. Clothing designs with strong lines, simple styling, and these hand- textured fabrics act as a pallet for the wearable art of the bracelets. The end result is one of harmony and elegance. FOUR SENSES ASPECT OF THE BRACELETS Mahjong Artefacts has striven for a jewelry design that will go beyond the basic demand for ornamentation. In these bracelets, the appeal is to more than simply the visual aspect. The bracelets have an auditory appeal: the bone on the tiles, when handled, gives the pleasant “clatter” of a mahjong game being played. Closely tied to this is their tactile appeal: handling one of these bracelets gives the feel of playing with worry beads. Too, the silky feel of the bamboo against the skin, and the balanced weight of the tiles produces a pleasant sensation. The fourth sense, that of the olfactory, can be experienced by adding one’s favorite essential oil or perfume to the bamboo end sections of the bracelet: the porosity of the bamboo absorbs the scent and remains in the bamboo long after it has evaporated from the skin. PRICING AND ORDERING DATA Bracelets are priced at $60.00 each, unless otherwise designated, plus shipping and insurance. Special orders of particular tiles or hard-to-find antique tiles or beads may be priced higher. (Please email me for larger order prices.) The bracelets pictured may be thought of as generic: they illustrate different examples of the bone and bamboo tiles and the bakelite tiles, some larger, some smaller, some with very muted colors, some with brighter colors. The gemstone beads available are also illustrated on these various samples. The bracelets pictured fit an average wrist size of from 5-1/2 to 6-1/2". Some larger and smaller sizes are available, particularly in the larger tiled bracelets suitable for men. If sizes outside this range are required, they may be special ordered at an additional charge of $5.00. Tiles or gemstone beads of available bracelets in the required size may vary slightly from that of the pictured bracelet.  |
Mahjong Artefacts - Jeanne Wright
Inglis, Florida 34449
Phone: (352) 447-2286
Fax: (352) 447-2286
jeannewright@bellsouth.net
www.mahjongartefacts.net