Matched pair of hardwood whist markers which are decorated on the front with five lacquered playing cards. Do they form a good hand? They came from the collection of R.C. Bell, a writer and expert of games. They entered the Lowlands-collection from England and were made in Japan during the Meiji period (1868 – 1912). This a very unusual decoration for whist markers which we have never seen before and were most probably commissioned by a passionate card player. The inlaid decoration on the keys is of standard quality. Length 9.1 cm. Width 4.9 cm. Depth 0.9 cm.