Animal figure chessmen (32)
The set expresses the artist's idea that animals resemble people. Accordingly, the lion and lioness represent the king and queen, owls the bishops, horses' heads the knights, and sea shells, in which shell fish live, the rooks. The artist believes that most people are pawns, and sheep seemed to her to be symbolic of their status.
Artwork Details
- Title: Animal figure chessmen (32)
- Maker: Mrs. Ruth Mielziner Moss , Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: 1945
- Culture: American, Cleveland, Ohio
- Medium: Porcelain
- Dimensions: Height (each king): 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm);
Height (each pawn): 2 3/8 in. (6 cm) - Classification: Chess Sets
- Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948
- Object Number: 48.174.81a–p, aa–pp
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Daniel Milton
ca. 1936
Robert Leach
20th century
Parker L. Hall
1932
Mexican
20th century
Oliver Parker
ca. 1934
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.