welcome to ChezBill

 

Latest update: Tuesday 24th. August 2010

 

Hello and welcome to ChezBill, the website devoted to Chinese mother of pearl Gaming Counters/ chips.

Please note that if you have sent a request about details of any item, it may be worth checking your 'trash' bin as in the past few days I have had several repeat requests for the same information - suggesting it hasn't got through your computer's defences. I always do my best to reply to emails within 24 hours. I have no other way of contacting you!

There are now four recent articles, including two recent ones about a superb set of m-o-p boxes and counters, and a new link between reverse designs on early counters; a very interesting 'new' group of armorial counters which has left me wondering about their origins; and an article from around two weeks ago about a counter that caused me some excitement - a 'new' Royal counter very similar to a Queen Charlotte and probably ordered at the same time or at least very soon after; this one made for one of the sons of George III. If only I could work out which one!! Any thoughts please???

For those of you new to the website, there are three main areas to look at:

• Reference pages where you can identify and discover how to tell the age of counters, borders etc.
• Articles where you will find specific information on particular subjects (Billing birds / Valentine pattern, Royal counters etc.). 
• Sales pages where you will find plenty of counters for sale!

 

I have an extensive range of gaming counters available for purchase; only a small selection is shown here. The selection is updated regularly and includes a reference code to help you place your order; mailing is included in the prices shown. If there is a specific counter or type of counter that you are looking for please contact me and I will get back to you promptly. I regularly supply gaming counters to jewellers as well. I buy good quality counters and am always happy to hear from you if you have counters you are looking to sell.

For any readers who live in the U.K., I exhibit at the Horticultural Hall and at Alexandra Palace Antique Fairs and at Chelsea Town Hall. At these fairs I sell mainly Chinese and Japanese porcelain and Cantonese ivory card-cases etc., but I always take along a selection of gaming counters and usually have a lacquer gaming box or two on display.  If you go to any of these very good fairs, I would be delighted to meet you. Gaming counters are often very hard to pick out among so many stalls, so if you are planning to attend, please send me an email and I can tell you my stall number. It is always a real pleasure to talk to fellow enthusiasts. My next fair will be at the Horticultural Hall in September 2010.

 

My own personal collection of armorial gaming counters is the largest of its type in the world and now contains over 1350 different armorial counters.

 

I can supply a ready made collection, fully annotated, of over 200 armorial gaming counters. This would be suitable for museum display or for somebody wishing to start collecting. In addition, I have museum quality armorial gaming boxes with matching armorial counters available.

 

I have written and published two booklets devoted to Chinese mother-of-pearl gaming counters. There are no other easily available reference works on the subject.  The first one, “Chinese Mother of Pearl Gaming Counters” is a very general introduction to the subject. The second one, Armorial Chinese Gaming counters, was published in July 2008. Both are available via this website.

 

I accept payment by Paypal or by cheque; prices are quoted in pound sterling.

 

Please enjoy browsing my website and do contact me with any queries or if you would like to share pictures of your own collection.