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There are many fascinating stories about these timeless treasures, but let’s begin with the actual history. | It all began in around 1685 when the Chinese Emperor Kangxi first allowed European traders to bring their boats to Canton in China. Quality and imagination never before seen opened up a trade in luxury items which soon became the rage among European aristocrats. The demand for these porcelains, teas, spices, silks and cashmeres was enormous.
The first English traders arriving in Canton discovered that the Chinese were quite passionate gamblers and so were the Europeans. H.E.I.C. (owners of the cargo ships) limited its purchases to tea, silk and porcelain – in that order. Its policy was to allow their employees from captain to crew to trade privately. It was this private trade that brought the gaming counters to Europe.
Many counter sets were being commissioned by individuals, often at the same time as their porcelain dinner services. A thriving industry soon was established in Canton with teams of Chinese workers grinding down the imported mother of pearl shells to flat pieces and then shaping them. Many were often carved with a crest (pictorial symbol of the family) or coat of arms from the members of the English aristocracy. The early counters were very plain with rudimentary carving. It is in the last period from 1820-1840 when the style became quite distinctive. By 1840, counters had become much larger and thicker. They often had shallow or deep-carved designs and may also have shown fretted (pierced) borders. These deep carved pieces were so intricate they must have taken days to carve just one piece.
Today these amazing and rare treasures are highly sought after by collectors around the world. | 
