WINSLOW 1920
MAH JONGG TILE SET
A reverent nod to the earliest days of American mah jongg, The Winslow 1920 Tile Set from Walden General and Ozark Mah Jongg is not just a tile set; it’s a time capsule. We’re thrilled to share this first look at our fully engraved set and its carefully crafted accessories. Every detail was designed to honor mahjong’s rich heritage while offering a modern playing experience.
Tile Size: approximately 1"x 1.43" x .5"
Individual Tile Weight: 12 grams
Our racks are crafted from beechwood, a superior choice over common pine. Beech’s strength and straight, fine grain make it far less prone to warping, ensuring your racks stay true for years of play.
ITEM
PRICE
Winslow 1920 Tile Set w/ Acrylic Case
Beechwood Racks + Storage Bag
Vegan Leather Travel Case + Trays
Winslow Mat
$575
$125
$150
$75
The Winslow Navy Mat combines beauty and practicality, creating an elegant backdrop for every game night.
Custom Acrylic Drawered Case: The Winslow 1920 set ships in a clear acrylic case with sliding drawers that are durable, display-ready, and easy to access. Inspired by vintage storage, it's a reusable alternative to disposable packaging, designed with care and longevity in mind.
Beechwood Racks & Storage Bag: These 19-inch beechwood racks are sized for the larger Winslow 1920 tiles and include integrated, magnetic pushers. Finished in a walnut-colored stain with a clear coat, they’re paired with a handmade cotton duck storage bag featuring four stitched pockets to protect each rack in transit or storage.
Sold separately.
British Vintage Tan PU Leather Travel Case: This structured PU leather travel case, finished in vintage British tan, holds four matching trays in a faux suede-lined interior. Built for compact storage and safe transport, it keeps your tiles protected and organized between games.
Sold separately. Includes four trays.
Winslow Navy Mat: Printed on soft, low-pile chenille with a non-slip backing, the Winslow Navy Mat is machine washable and easy to store. The crane motif, adapted from a 1968 silk scarf gifted to our mother, adds warmth and heritage to a clean, playable surface. Each mat comes in a clear, zippered bag with a top strap for transport or hanging storage.
Sold separately.
The Winslow 1920 Travel Case, crafted in vintage-inspired British tan PU leather with plush faux suede interior, offers elegant protection and organization for your mahjong essentials.
HISTORY & INSPIRATION
The Bams
The Bam suit traces its origins to depictions of strings of coins, once carried by Chinese merchants for trade and protection, eventually evolving into bamboo stalks as the game’s iconography shifted over time. This transformation occurred during the game’s early 20th-century export period, when symbolic references were simplified and stylized for carving. Each Bam in the Winslow 1920 set features an infinity knot motif, drawn from traditional Chinese symbolism. Known as the endless knot, it represents continuity, balance, and enduring good fortune. Though rare, similar motifs have appeared on early hand-carved tiles. The Winslow One Bam continues a long-standing tradition of featuring a bird on the first tile of the Bam suit. While sparrows are commonly used, cranes are a classic Chinese symbol of longevity and virtue. A vintage crane illustration by A. Smit, an Art Nouveau-era artist, served as inspiration for our One Bam. The image was reinterpreted with original detailing and coloring to align with the tone of the Winslow 1920 set.
The Dots
The Dots suit, also known as Circles, is rooted in early representations of Chinese currency. Round in form, these tiles reference traditional copper coins, symbols of wealth, unity, and continuity in Chinese culture. Each Dot in the Winslow 1920 set reflects this heritage. Our One Dot features a quadrant-center design with dots and linework that echo patterns found on antique coins. This visual structure creates a link between the Dots and Bams, both of which trace their origins to historic depictions of trade and exchange.
The Craks
Our Crak tiles feature the traditional Chinese character for ten thousand (萬, Wàn), symbolizing 10,000 coins. This completes the connection among the three suits: Dots represent individual coins, Bams represent strings of coins, and Craks represent 100 strings of 100 coins equaling 10,000. These details reflect mahjong’s origins as a game of wealth and fortune. We’ve framed each Crak tile with subtle Art Deco-inspired borders, blending classic design with refined vintage detail.
The Flowers
Our Flower tiles are inspired by traditional mahjong, which often includes four Season tiles and four Flower tiles, each linked to a symbolic plant and time of year. To represent the eight Flowers used in American mah jongg, we drew from classical Chinese seasonal motifs and artistic tradition. Four tiles feature plants long tied to the seasons in Chinese culture: plum blossom (winter), orchid (spring), lotus (summer), and chrysanthemum (autumn). The remaining four depict bamboo, plum, orchid, and chrysanthemum, this time as representations of enduring virtues such as resilience, refinement, flexibility, and longevity. A subtle red thread runs through the artwork, referencing the red thread of fate in Chinese folklore, a symbol of lasting connection.
The Jokers
Our Joker features a joyful Laughing Buddha, a revered figure symbolizing happiness, abundance, and good fortune. Often associated with contentment and the fulfillment of wishes, he is a familiar presence in many homes and temples across East Asia. The pearls he holds represent wisdom and spiritual wealth. We included this symbol with intention and respect, celebrating the joy he brings to players and the cultural significance he holds.
The Dragons
In mahjong, the “dragon” tiles are traditionally referred to as the Three Fundamental Tiles, this trio represents core principles rooted in Confucian thought. The name “Dragons” was introduced by Joseph Babcock during mahjong’s early export to American audiences in the 1920s. • Red (中, zhōng) stands for loyalty, sincerity, and acting with moral clarity. • Green (發, fā) refers to established ritual, ethical order, and prosperity, often translated as “wealth” or “fortune.” • White (白, bái) originated as a blank tile. Often called “Soap” in American mah jongg, it is linked to purity, filial piety, and the absence of corruption. The Winslow 1920 dragon tiles preserve these original Chinese characters in their traditional forms. No stylization, reinterpretation, or symbolic dilution, just clean, timeless typography that reflects mahjong’s cultural foundation.
Common Questions
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