Mahjong popularity surges with new luxury designer collections

The traditional tile game of mahjong is experiencing a surge in popularity, transitioning into a mainstream social trend and a luxury lifestyle item. Retailers such as Williams Sonoma, Anthropologie, and Mark & Graham have launched designer collections, catering to both novice players and collectors.

This resurgence is attributed to celebrity enthusiasts, including Meghan Markle and Kelly Ripa, and is being framed as an offline social ritual and an alternative to digital habits like doomscrolling. High-end offerings include the Anthropologie Mahjong House Tile Set priced at $545 and a collaborative Hill House x Williams Sonoma Home set priced at $495.

Mahjong originated in 19th-century Qing dynasty China. The American version, which gained traction in the 1920s, utilizes specific tile decks and accessories like wooden or acrylic racks.