The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Chess Set

Chess Set

Images (10)

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Chess Set

Object Name:: Chess set
Date:: 12th century
Geography:: Iran, Nishapur
Culture:: Islamic
Medium:: Stonepaste; molded and glazed
Dimensions:: Largest piece (King) H. 2 in. 5.5 cm Diam. 2 1/8 in. (4.4 cm) Small piece (pawn) H. 3.3 cm. Diam. 2.9 cm
Classification:: Gaming pieces
Credit Line:: Pfeiffer Fund, 1971
Accession Number:: 1971.193a–ff

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 453

Description

This nearly complete chess set is one of the earliest extant examples in the world. The pieces are abstract forms: the shah (king) is represented as a throne; the vizier (the equivalent of the queen) is a smaller throne; the elephant (bishop) has two tusklike protrusions; the horse (knight) has a triangular knob representing its head; the chariot (rook) is rectangular with a wedge at the top; and the pawns are faceted hemispheres with knobs.
Provenance

[ Saeed Motamed, Frankfurt, until 1971; sold to MMA]
See also
What
Glazing (3,153)

Board games (400)

Chess sets (400)
Where
Asia (68,591)

Iran (7,132)

Khurasan (2,282)

Nishapur (2,251)
When
A.D. 1000-1400 (7,130)
In the Museum
Islamic Art (12,577)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
The Art of the Seljuqs of Iran (ca. 1040–1157)

Iran, 1000–1400 A.D.
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