Gaming Counter with the Arms of Dubois

Title

Gaming Counter with the Arms of Dubois

Description

This counter comes from an early eighteenth century set made for Charles Dubois (1658-1740). Dubois was an avid botanist, and served as a treasurer for the East India Trading Company. i Dubois spent three decades (1708-1738) working for the East India Company, and his position afforded him great opportunities to pursue his botanical passions. During his life and travels Dubois procured an extensive collection of both living and dried plants. His contributions are noted in several period collections, and his dried plant collection is a part of the modern Oxford Botanical Garden herbarium. However, his most impactful work may have been suggesting the cultivation of rice in the Carolinas of Britain’s North American Colony.ii In 1696, Dubois suggested to Thomas Marsh, a Carolina merchant, that rice would fit the Carolina climate, and provided the seeds used to start the first rice crop. In his lifetime, Dubois ordered two porcelain services.Generally, porcelain services and gaming counter sets were ordered at the same time from different merchants. It is unclear when Dubois ordered this counter set, but it was likely in 1723 or 1730 along with one of his armorial porcelain sets. Several pieces from both these services are still in existence, as well as other gaming counters bearing the Dubois arms.
                                                       
i B. D. Jackson, Charles, Dubois. http://odnb2.pubfactory.com/view/article/8113/ 2014, ii Alexander Salley, The Introduction of Rice into South Carolina. 1919. Pg 15

Date

1723-1730

Format

Mother-of-Pearl

Identifier

2015.39.51

Coverage

Guangzhou (Canton), China

Physical Dimensions

1.25in

Files

2015_39_51.jpg

Citation

“Gaming Counter with the Arms of Dubois,” Chinese Armorial Gaming Counters, accessed October 6, 2024, https://chinesearmorialgamingcounters.omeka.wlu.edu/items/show/39.