European
Pair of Bezique Markers, after 1880
Plastic and wood, 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.8 cm (3 7/16 x 2 1/4 x 5/16 in.)
An identical pair of rectangular tortoise shell and ivory bezique markers. Each marker is oriented vertically. The base of the markers are made of tortoise shell. Ten ivory rectangles with one rounded side run down both the left and right sides of each marker. The rounded edge hangs over the side of the tortoise shell base. The top ivory piece on the left is inscribed with “5000.” There is a space which is followed by three blank ivory pieces then a piece with “1000” written on it. This is followed by a blank space, an ivory piece inscribed with “500,” another blank space, then four more ivory pieces. The last ivory piece on the left has “100” on it. The right side starts at the top with an ivory piece with a “1,” followed by three blank pieces. A space is skipped, followed by a right-trapezoid piece with the number “5.” Following that is a space, then a piece with the number “10,” three more blank pieces, and a space before the last ivory piece inscribed with “50.” All of the numbers on the right side appear upside down. The marker on the left has a chip in the tortoise shell under the ivory piece with “5” on it. The two bezique markers are stored in a turquoise cardboard box with gold trim.
Macknight Room
Commentary
Although these bezique markers boast the ingenious British “pop-up” indicator design created in the 1880s by playing card maker Charles Goodall & Sons, the inexpensive material suggests they were made on the European continent for export.
Isabella probably acquired these markers during her extensive travels around Europe in the late 19th century, where the trick-taking card game was reaching the height of its popularity.