Chessmen (29)
The stands, hats, and crowns of the figures on the mowers' (black) side are of a naturally dark horn. There are also faint traces of an orange-brown stain on some of the pieces of the dark side, and all the figures have traces of red paint for the lips. This charming set was originally, therefore, much more colorful than it is now. It is one of those sets in which the theme of the opposition is seen in the pawns rather than the principal pieces, which are identical on the two sides. Both kings wear the divided Austrian crown. The bishops are couriers, and the rearing horses for the knights are fully modeled but riderless. The rooks are towers with very large bell-shaped finials. Pawns, peasants, on the white side are threshers with flails, on the dark side mowers with scythes. A white pawn and bishop and a black bishop are missing.
Artwork Details
- Title: Chessmen (29)
- Date: ca. 1820
- Culture: Austrian
- Medium: Ivory, horn
- Dimensions: Height (each king): 4 in. (10.2 cm);
Height (each pawn): 3 in. (7.6 cm) - Classification: Chess Sets
- Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948
- Object Number: 48.174.157a–e, g–o, aa
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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Austrian
19th century
Multiple artists/makers
1867
Multiple artists/makers
1839
possibly Austrian
19th century
Austrian or Hungarian
19th century
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