South Palm Canyond Drive in Palm Springs, CA with palm trees and Modernism Week banner

Bakelite, Bone & Bamboo: The Mystical Chinese Game of Mahjong

Mahjong, a Chinese parlor game, arrived in the United States in the 1920s and captivated America. Players at game tables across the country were suddenly rolling dice, stirring bone tiles, and calling out “pung!” “chow!” and “mahjong!” instead of “gin.”

In this encore presentation, four avid mahjong players and vintage set collectors will introduce the basics of how to play the game, describe what fueled the game's popularity initially and at midcentury, and share its history and cultural impact over the last one hundred years. We will explore the glorious material history of the game from the highly collectible hand-carved bone and bamboo sets, midcentury Bakelite game pieces, to elaborate rosewood storage boxes from the game's heyday. The presentation will also include a “how-to” on getting started playing mahjong in your community.

The game is currently enjoying a renaissance thanks in part to shout-outs from regular players Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as the game appearing in television shows such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and films such as Crazy Rich Asians. Share your own family's mahjong story during the Q & A!

Presenters: Lise Baadh: mahjong instructor, enthusiast, and community builder; Juli Cavnar: mahjong devotee, and the granddaughter who inherited the favorite Bakelite set; Rob Ollander-Krane: mahjong Mama's Boy; Anne Rowe, mahjong addict & Director of Heritage at Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage.

Photo Credits: Palm Springs Mahjong, dreamtime.com, Warner Bros

Location & Attendee Information

  • What are the appropriate ages for this activity?Person Ages 13 and older
  • What are the mobility considerations for this activity?Person walking Seated activity
  • What type of parking is available?Car Parking & handicap parking available
  • Are restrooms available?Restroom sign Restrooms available
  • Is this an indoor or outdoor activity?Sun Indoor activity
  • What type of ADA accessibility is available?Wheelchair Wheelchair accessible

View more Films & Lectures

  • Desert Modernism 101: From Bauhaus to Our House

    Enjoy an informative and entertaining look at the principles of design that rocked the world of architecture in post-war America.

    Activity Date(s)Calendar
    Feb 14th
  • Hotel Kitsch: A Colorful Journey Through America's Themed Getaways and Honeymoon Suites

    Join Margaret and Corey Bienert of A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour as they unveil America's most vibrant themed hotels and fantasy suites, showcasing their unique charm, history, and allure.

    Activity Date(s)Calendar
    Feb 14th
  • Dueling Visions: Six Moon Hill and Twin Palms "Early Midcentury Modern Communities on the East and West Coasts"

    Six Moon Hill near Boston is celebrated as an early midcentury enclave as is Twin Palms in Palm Springs, CA. Architects and experts in MCM restoration, Colin Flavin and Tim Techler, compare them.

    Activity Date(s)Calendar
    Feb 14th

Even More To Do At Modernism Week