3" H x 2" W x .5" D
This charming Victorian tartanware piece is a traditional Bezique score counter, made to track points during play of the popular 19th-century parlor card game. Bezique was widely enjoyed throughout Britain in the late Victorian era, particularly as a refined two-player game played in drawing rooms and private clubs.
The score counter features a classic tartan-patterned surface with gilt numbering, allowing scores to be recorded in tens and hundreds using two original pegs. One peg is red and the other cream, each corresponding to a player. Scores are tracked by moving the pegs along the numbered holes, an elegant and tactile alternative to pen and paper.
Constructed with a solid wood core and finished with an ebonized edge, the piece includes a brass swivel latch at the top that secures the peg wells when not in use. The tartan decoration reflects the Victorian fascination with Scottish identity and Highland romanticism, a design trend that extended into decorative objects, games, and souvenirs during the period.
Both original pegs are present, a detail that significantly enhances the collectibility of this piece. Today, it serves beautifully as a decorative object for a desk, library shelf, or games vignette, while still retaining its original functionality and historical charm.
Condition:
The surface shows expected wear to the tartan finish, including light rubbing and areas of varnish loss. The edges display minor scuffing and wear. The brass latch has developed a warm, natural patina. Both original pegs are present and intact, showing age-appropriate wear
