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Chessmen (32) in box

19th century
Not on view
The kings probably represent Frederick Henry, prince of Orange (1584–1647), and Charles V of Spain (1500–1558). The queens' costumes are of an earlier style than the men's, and the queens are probably not intended to represent actual women. The period of Frederick Henry is considered the golden age of the Dutch republic. He continued the struggle for independence started by his father, William of Orange. Frederick died a few months before the completion of the treaty by which the United Provinces gained their independence from Spain in 1648. The earlier phase of the struggle is illustrated by the dark side, the king here wearing the crown of the Empire. There is thus an anachronism between the two sides, carried through in the sixteenth-century costume of the Spanish and seventeenth-century costume of the Dutch.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Chessmen (32) in box
  • Date: 19th century
  • Culture: Dutch
  • Medium: Ivory
  • Dimensions: Height (each king): 3 in. (7.6 cm);
    Height (each pawn): 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
  • Classification: Chess Sets
  • Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1953
  • Object Number: 53.71.104a–p, aa–pp, r
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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