ticketsMember | Make a donation

Chessmen (32)

19th century
Not on view
The silver king represents Wilhelm I (King of Prussia in 1870, and in 1871 Emperor of Germany), and the queen, Queen Augusta. The black king is emperor Napoleon III and his queen the Empress eugenie. The two kings and queens are very creditable portraits, considering the scale and technique in which they are rendered. In particular, the Empress Eugenie is successful in suggesting the elegance of dress and bearing for which she was famous.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Chessmen (32)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Culture: German
  • Medium: Cast iron
  • Dimensions: Height (each king): 3 in. (7.6 cm);
    Height (each pawn): 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
  • Classification: Chess Sets
  • Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1953
  • Object Number: 53.71.61a–p, aa–pp
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Empress Alexandra Feodorowna, Bronze and gilt bronze, German or Russian
Empress Alexandra Feodorowna
German or Russian
ca. 1825–30
Work box in the form of a peacock, Mahogany, coniferous wood (pine?), oak; birch, boxwood, ebonized wood; inlay of sycamore, green stained holly, mahogany; bone, silver-gilt, blued steel, brass, velvet, printed paper, German, probably Berlin
Work box in the form of a peacock
German, probably Berlin
ca. 1830
Table, Royal Porcelain Manufactory, Berlin German, Hard-paste porcelain, gilded bronze, and yellow metal; iron and wood as support materials, German, Berlin
Table
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1833–34
Potpourri vase, Karl Friedrich Schinkel German, Glass, gilded yellow metal, marble, German, Berlin
Potpourri vase
Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Werner & Mieth, Berlin
ca. 1810
Armchair, Karl Friedrich Schinkel German, Gilded mountain ash; brass mounts and casters; modern upholstery, German, Berlin
Armchair
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1828

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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.