Chess Set

Unknown

12th century · Stonepaste; molded and glazed · Islamic Art

This nearly complete chess set is one of the earliest extant examples in the world. The pieces are abstract forms: the shah (king) is represented as a throne; the vizier (the equivalent of the queen) is a smaller throne; the elephant (bishop) has two tusklike protrusions; the horse (knight) has a triangular knob representing its head; the chariot (rook) is rectangular with a wedge at the top; and the pawns are faceted hemispheres with knobs.

Artist

Unknown

Date

12th century

Medium

Stonepaste; molded and glazed

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Pfeiffer Fund, 1971