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I have several thin pieces of what I assume is mother of pearl. Thin enough that some light can pass through. On one side are symbols or shapes, the other side depicts scenes or characters. I am not sure if the box they are in has any connection. Can anyone identify their origin or use? Thank you.

It looks like mother of pearl. Probably these pieces are prepared to decorate furniture or objects. For me, the box is just a container. It is difficult to understand the origins, perhaps from the engravings and subjects could be traced back to some manufacturing.
regards
Gabriele

Thanks Gabriel. I thought of them as possibly being used as inlays as well, but why would they be engraved on both sides? I think they are intended to be viewed from both sides. They are thin enough that light passes through. I also wonder if they might be Jan-Ken-Po game tiles.

I find it impossible to open any photo scans of the mop objects.Are they round? Any chance they are gaming pieces for the European market?

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/sawbuck_photo/Identify/DSCN2463.jpg

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/sawbuck_photo/Identify/DSCN2465.jpg

Sorry about the pic's. Here they are.

Thank you for the scans. They are gaming markers used for any gambling endeavor. I cannot make out the surface designs very well,but many were made with arms of those entitled to use them. They come in many shapes round,rectangular, fish shaped etc.

These are gaming counters, akin to modern poker chips, carved in China mostly for export to the West. See the link below for further information.

Best regards,

Bill H.

URL Title :gaming counters

Thank you very much.

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