Chessmen (32)

Unknown

late 19th century · Ivory · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The two kings resemble Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany and Czar Alexander III of Russia, and resemblances to the Empress Augusta and Czarina Maria Feodorovna may be intended in the queens. The reigns of the Kaiser and Alexander III overlapped from 1887 to 1894. This period may thus be taken as the probable time in which the set was made. The initials J S in monogram within a shaped shield on the four rooks are probably those of the original owner.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 19th century

Medium

Ivory

Culture

German

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948