Chessmen (32)

Unknown

second half 19th century · Ivory · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

As often occurs in sets of this elaborate type, which were never made for play, there is no difference between the kings and the generals of the two sides. Only the pawns are clearly differentiated, the Indians holding long spears and girt with swords, the Europeans with muskets with fixed bayonets. Unlike Bengali sets of this period, the rooks are not boats but are castles with a flag-carrying infantryman on the top. The elephant's (bishop's) place is filled by a camel-a common feature in late Indian chess sets. The facial types suggest French soldiers.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half 19th century

Medium

Ivory

Culture

Indian, possibly Bengal

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948