Animal figure chessmen (32)

1945
Not on view
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

Object Information
  • 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

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