A ₹10 Crore Mahjong Set Anchors the New Era of Collectable Games

In the last scene of ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ love is measured against lineage and power in a confrontation. Set amid the storied customs of a traditional mahjong parlour, we anticipated whether Constance Wu’s character, Rachel Chu, would persuade Michelle Yeoh’s character, Eleanor Sung Young, that her worth transcends pedigree, and that she belongs beside her son, Nicholas Young, played by Henry Golding. In this quintessentially Chinese space, where every game speaks to belonging and Asian identity, one question hovered: why mahjong? It is a centuries-old Chinese game—a mirror of a person’s true character: once players sit down at the Mahjong table, their personalities become more apparent by the way they play. The Chinese describe this as ‘paai bun,’ or the ethics of Mahjong.

This game is believed to have evolved from ancient card and tile games, with roots reaching back to the Song and Ming dynasties. ‘Mahjong’ eponymous to ‘sparrow,’ a name imparted due to the sound of the tiles clattering. The game is typically orchestrated between four players using 144 tiles divided into suits (dots, bamboo, and characters), honour tiles (winds and dragons), and flower tiles. Every tile carries an emblematic meaning drawn from Chinese culture, from currency and archery to Confucian virtues. A game of skill and chance, mahjong begins with dice and shuffled tiles, then players draw and discard to form winning hands. Over time, the game spread globally, becoming popular as a pastime for diverse immigrant communities, while today it is a collector’s pursuit, enjoyed by those with the leisure to appreciate its rhythm, strategy, and tradition. Riding this trend, Design Pataki settles in for a round of mahjong, exploring the most luxurious sets, meticulously crafted by maisons and couture houses.

1. Ruby And Black Obsidian Mahjong Set By S.T. Dupont X L’Aquart

If you are drawn to crystals, excess, and everything exquisitely bling, the Ruby and Black Obsidian Mahjong Set by S.T. Dupont in collaboration with L’Aquart is perfect for you. Revered as one of the most luxurious mahjong sets ever conceived, this bespoke creation took over eight months of meticulous handcrafting to complete. Sculpted from solid blocks of Tanzanian ruby—a gemstone that signifies solar energy, nobility, prosperity, and protection—corralled in hand-hammered gold vermeil and embellished with over 1,000 Burmese rubies and 300 diamonds, it serves as a rarified heirloom.

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The back of each tile draws inspiration from the game’s title and lore, revealing black obsidian sparrows on branches, while the dragon tiles reference the Confucian legend of mahjong’s origins. Similarly, counters and dice are carved from mother-of-pearl and ruby, bordered with gold, rendering them a rare quality of collectable.

2. Macao Mahjong Game By HERMÈS

The Macao Mahjong Game by HERMÈS offers a quieter kind of luxury, one steeped in the Japanese philosophy of minimalism. Carved in natural mahogany, the ‘Macao’ Mahjong Set reinterprets the centuries-old game through an artisanal lens. Historically created from horn or ivory, they are now reimagined in solid mahogany and cassia wood, chosen as much for their warmth as for the familiar sound they produce during play—an ode to the game’s name. The set is tucked in a box crafted from Evercolor and Epsom calfskin alongside Niloticus lizard leather, embodying exquisite leather marquetry.

Nestled amidst the soft leather are 144 laser-engraved wooden tiles paired with five solid mahogany trays embracing a contemporary, minimalist sensibility. Crafted in an ode to Asian craftsmanship, it features a hand-engraved mahogany wind dice and four ebony dice inlaid with maple wood. Austere and deeply intentional, it transforms mahjong to its purest form where material intelligence takes precedence.

3. Vanity Mahjong By Louis Vuitton

For the ones drawn to the enduring allure of the classics, the Vanity Mahjong Set by Louis Vuitton blends strategy and spectacle. At once chic and playful, this exquisitely crafted trunk poses as a statement object that transcends mere function. Rooted in the Maison’s trunk-making lineage, the box is masterfully crafted in premium wood and Corian, striking a rare balance between refined craftsmanship and everyday usability. Swathed in Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram canvas and trimmed in natural cowhide, the trunk opens to unveil six pine-green compartments, fastened by two polished locks with buckles.

It opens to 144 tiles chaperoned by five spares, handcrafted and carved from walnut wood and stone, with select pieces delicately engraved with the Maison’s signature monogram flowers. Completing the ensemble are four wooden rulers, four wooden dice, and a round cube with a plate, each designed to complement the trunk’s contemporary functionality while remaining perfectly suited for mundane play sessions. At once collectable and convivial, the Vanity Mahjong Set transforms a centuries-old game into a statement of heritage and cultivated leisure.