What Are Dominoes Made Of? History & Materials
Pick up an old domino and turn it over in your hand. The weight tells you something before the spots do. A click of bone against bone, a faint warmth to the surface, perhaps a tiny brass pin running through the middle where two materials once met.
The question of what dominoes are made of has a longer answer than most people expect. The tiles in a modern set can be traced back through plastic, through Victorian bone, through hand-cut ivory, all the way to China several centuries ago.
What has not changed is the standard itself. A double-six set still holds 28 tiles, as it has throughout the game's recorded history. What has changed is nearly everything else, from the raw material to the safety testing. Sets intended for children today are made to meet UKCA and CE requirements, something no 18th-century maker would have recognised, and you can see the result across our traditional games.
Where Did Dominoes Come From and How Did They Reach Britain?
Dominoes are believed to have originated in China, with the earliest known Chinese dominoes dating to around the 13th century. These were not the parlour game most British households picture, but a family of tile games with their own long tradition.
The version familiar in Britain arrived much later. Dominoes reached Europe, likely via Italy, in the 18th century, with the earliest European references dating to around the 1750s. From there the game spread quickly through coffee houses, taverns and family drawing rooms.
By the time Jaques of London was founded in 1795, dominoes were already a settled feature of English play. They sat comfortably alongside cards and early board games as something anyone could learn in minutes and play for years.
The appeal was practical. A set was small, portable and needed no board. Two players or four could sit down at any table and begin. That simplicity is a large part of why the game survived every change in material that followed, and why it still sits so naturally among our board games today.
If you would like the fuller story of how the game travelled and took root, we have written it out in our history of games dominoes piece. For now, the short version is enough: a Chinese invention, an Italian doorway into Europe, and a game that was thoroughly British by the Georgian era. What those early European tiles were actually made from is where the material story truly begins.
What Were the First Dominoes Made Of? Bone, Ivory and Ebony in the 18th Century
The first European dominoes were objects of some craft. The classic construction paired two materials: a thin layer of bone or ivory on the face, backed with ebony, held together by a small brass pin. That contrast of pale spots against dark wood is where the game's enduring look comes from.
Bone was the everyday choice. It was hard, took a clean drilled spot well, and could be worked by hand into the familiar rectangular tile. Ox and cattle bone supplied most sets, which is why antique dominoes often carry the nickname 'bones' even now.
Ivory was also used for high-quality domino sets during the 18th and 19th centuries, often sourced from elephant tusks. An ivory set was a luxury item, smoother and whiter than bone, and priced accordingly. These were the sets a wealthy household displayed rather than tucked in a drawer.
It is worth being clear about the ethics here, because the trade in such ivory is now strictly regulated under CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which came into force in 1975. The material that once signalled quality is rightly off-limits today.
The craftsmanship of those early tiles, though, set expectations that have lasted. A well-made domino should feel balanced, sit flat and shuffle with a satisfying sound. You will still find that same regard for material and finish across our chess sets, where weight and surface matter just as much. The game may have changed hands and changed materials, but the sense of an object made to be handled daily has carried straight through.
How Did Victorian Manufacturing Change What Dominoes Were Made From?
The 19th century changed how almost everything was made, and dominoes were no exception. Earlier tiles were cut and finished largely by hand; Victorian workshops introduced machinery that made consistent sizing and spot-drilling far quicker.
This mattered for the player. Hand-cut tiles varied slightly, which affected how a set stacked and shuffled. Machine finishing meant 28 tiles that genuinely matched one another, a quiet improvement that made the standard double-six set more reliable.
Bone remained common, but it was increasingly joined by other options. Early composite materials began to appear as chemists and manufacturers looked for substitutes that were cheaper and easier to work at scale. The brass-pinned bone-and-ebony tile continued, but it was no longer the only way to make a domino.
Jaques was part of this period of refinement, applying to games the same manufacturing standards it brought to other pastimes. The Victorian household could buy a properly finished set without paying for ivory, which widened the game's reach considerably.
That broadening of access is a theme worth noting. As sets became more affordable and more uniform, dominoes settled even deeper into family life, sitting alongside spinning tops, skittles and the kind of pieces now gathered in our wooden toys. The game stopped being a luxury and became a fixture.
By the end of the century, the groundwork was laid for the next great shift. Manufacturers had already shown they would adopt new materials when they offered consistency and value. When a genuinely new material arrived in the 20th century, dominoes were ready to adopt it, and for many sets, they did.
When Did Plastic Dominoes Replace Traditional Materials and Why?
Plastic dominoes became widespread through the 20th century for straightforward reasons. Plastic could be moulded in exact, identical shapes, coloured cleanly, and produced in enormous quantities at low cost. For a mass-market game, those advantages were difficult to resist.
There was an ethical push as well as a commercial one. The UK banned the commercial import of antique ivory items for sale in 2022 under the Ivory Act 2018, which came into full force that year, directly affecting the trade of antique bone-and-ivory domino sets. Even before that, the direction of travel was clear: ivory had no future as a games material.
Plastic answered the practical questions too. It did not crack like bone, did not need a brass pin, and could be wiped clean after sticky hands had been at it. For a child's first set, durability and easy cleaning count for a great deal.
What plastic could not fully replace was feel. A moulded tile is light. It lacks the weight and the quiet click that drew people to the game in the first place. Many players noticed the difference, even if they could not name it.
This is why the market eventually settled into two clear camps: inexpensive plastic sets for rough-and-tumble play, and considered wooden or resin sets for those who want the traditional experience. If you are weighing up which suits your household, our guide to the best dominoes sets uk 2026 what to buy sets out the differences plainly, so the choice of material becomes a deliberate one rather than an accident of price.
What Are Quality Dominoes Made Of Today and Does the Material Still Matter?
Quality dominoes today are most often made of wood or a dense, well-finished resin designed to mimic the heft of older sets. The aim is to recover what plastic lost: a tile that feels substantial in the hand and sounds right on the table.
Wood is the natural heir to the bone-and-ebony tradition. A good wooden domino has weight, a smooth finish and crisp, evenly drilled spots. It shuffles well and stacks square, which is precisely what made the hand-finished Victorian sets pleasant to use.
Does the material still matter? For how the game plays, yes. A heavier tile sits more steadily when you build a line, is easier to turn, and gives the tactile satisfaction that keeps people coming back to a physical game rather than a screen.
For children, there is the added point of safety. Modern sets intended for young players are tested to UKCA and CE standards, something that simply did not exist for the bone sets of the 18th century. Material choice and safety now go hand in hand.
The spot count, meanwhile, has not budged. A standard double-six set still contains 28 tiles, and if you want more scope there is the larger format we explain in our piece on the double 12 dominoes set what it is who its for. Whichever you choose, the pleasure of the material is part of the game, and if making your own counts as play too, our guide to home made play with easy clean puffy paint is a cheerful place to start.
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Frequently Asked Questions About What Are Dominoes Made Of
What are dominoes made of?
Modern dominoes are most commonly made from plastic, which is durable, lightweight, and consistent in manufacture. Higher-quality contemporary sets may use resin, stone, metal, or wood, often with contrasting pip inlays for clarity. Jaques of London produces premium sets using carefully selected materials designed for longevity and fine play. Historically, dominoes were crafted from bone, ivory, or wood. A standard Western double-six set contains 28 tiles, and the material chosen affects weight, feel, and overall playing experience significantly.
What were old dominoes made of?
Older European domino sets, from around the mid-18th century onwards, were typically made from animal bone, often with a thin sheet of ivory laminated to the face for a smooth playing surface. The backs were frequently made from ebony wood, giving the classic black-and-white appearance. High-quality sets were made entirely from ivory sourced from elephant tusks. Cheaper historical sets used wood throughout. These materials gave antique dominoes a satisfying weight and tactile quality that collectors and enthusiasts still prize today.
Are dominoes made of bone and ivory?
Historically, yes. From the 18th and 19th centuries, quality European domino sets were commonly made from bone faces set onto ebony backs, or from ivory. However, the international ivory trade is now strictly regulated under CITES, which came into force in 1975, and the UK's Ivory Act 2018 came into full force in 2022, banning commercial import of antique ivory items for sale. Contemporary dominoes are therefore made from modern materials such as plastic, resin, or wood rather than bone and ivory.
Who invented dominoes?
No single inventor of dominoes is recorded. The game is believed to have originated in China, where the earliest known dominoes date to around the 13th century, according to The British Museum. The game later spread westward, arriving in Europe — likely via Italy — in the 18th century, with the earliest European references dating to around the 1750s according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. From there it spread across Europe and beyond, evolving into the many variants played today.
Where did dominoes originate?
Dominoes are believed to have originated in China, with the earliest known Chinese examples dating to around the 13th century, as referenced by The British Museum. The game is thought to have reached Europe via Italy in the 18th century, with the earliest European references recorded around the 1750s according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. From continental Europe, dominoes spread to Britain and eventually worldwide, becoming a popular parlour and pub game across many cultures and societies.
When were dominoes invented?
The precise date of invention is unknown, but dominoes are believed to have originated in China with the earliest known examples dating to around the 13th century, according to The British Museum. In Europe, the game appeared later, with the earliest references dating to around the 1750s according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, suggesting it arrived via Italy during the 18th century. European sets of 28 tiles — the standard double-six configuration — became established during this period and remain the norm today.
Why are dominoes called dominoes?
The exact origin of the name 'dominoes' is uncertain, but the most widely cited theory links it to the Latin word 'dominus' (lord or master), via the French word 'domino', which referred to a black-and-white hooded cloak worn by Christian priests. The visual resemblance between the dark-backed, white-faced tiles and this garment is thought to have inspired the name. The game reached Europe in the 18th century with the earliest references around the 1750s, and the name 'dominoes' became established in European usage around that period.
Are dominoes a British game?
Dominoes are not originally British. The game is believed to have originated in China, with the earliest known examples dating to around the 13th century. It reached Europe via Italy during the 18th century, with the earliest European references around the 1750s according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. However, dominoes did become firmly embedded in British culture, particularly in pubs, clubs, and family homes. British manufacturers, including Jaques of London, produced fine domino sets and helped establish the game's popularity throughout the United Kingdom.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive dominoes?
Cheap domino sets are typically made from thin, lightweight plastic with printed or shallow-moulded pips, which can feel flimsy and wear quickly. Expensive sets use denser, higher-quality materials such as thick resin, stone, metal, or fine wood, with clearly inlaid or drilled-and-filled pips that remain legible with repeated use. The tiles sit more squarely, shuffle more satisfyingly, and withstand years of play. Premium sets, such as those produced by Jaques of London, also benefit from finer craftsmanship, better finishing, and more robust storage cases.
When did plastic dominoes replace bone dominoes?
The shift from bone and ivory dominoes to plastic sets occurred gradually through the 20th century as plastics became widely available and affordable after the Second World War. Regulation also played a role: the international ivory trade became strictly controlled under CITES, which came into force in 1975, and the UK's Ivory Act 2018 came into full force in 2022, effectively ending the commercial sale of antique bone-and-ivory sets. Plastic dominoes are now the most common type produced globally, though premium manufacturers continue to offer sets in wood, resin, and other quality materials.