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Chessmen (32) and board with case

19th century
Not on view
The pieces are mainly of nineteenth-century Meissen manufacture, though there are some replacements of nineteenth-century Berlin manufacture and some of more recent date. All the pieces derive in their design from an eighteenth-century Meissen original. The set reflects a certain spirit of the eighteenth century, for it emphasizes a frivolous aspect of the "Age of Reason." The rather affected adjustment of hats is to be seen in other sets, some of ivory. In the latter the hats are sometimes made of leather and are removable. Although there is a touch of cuteness in such sets, they are nonetheless charming.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Chessmen (32) and board with case
  • Date: 19th century
  • Culture: German, Meissen
  • Medium: Chessmen: porcelain; board: leather, parchment; case: leather, brass
  • Dimensions: Height (each king): 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm);
    Height (each pawn): 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm);
    Overall (board): 12 3/8 × 12 1/8 in. (31.4 × 30.8 cm);
    Overall (original box): 1 3/4 × 12 1/2 × 10 3/8 in. (4.4 × 31.8 × 26.4 cm)
  • Classification: Chess Sets
  • Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1953
  • Object Number: 53.71.27a–p, aa–pp, q, r
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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