Chess set

Unknown

18th century · Ivory, leather · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The set, which was made for playing, is representational. The king is a "Great King," here a seated figure. He has not a queen but a lieutenant general, also seated, with a small round shield in one hand. The elephant with rider (bishop) represents, as it did in the original Indian game, the elephant corps, and a horse and rider (knight) represents the cavalry. The pagoda-like structure is the chariot, or rook. The pawns are foot soldiers. Burmese sets are sometimes white and red, as well as green and red like this one.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Ivory, leather

Culture

Burmese chessmen with British board

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948